PHOTOGRAPHING NESTS AND EGGS 71 



cessary to use a very rapid shutter, the best type being 

 the focal plane, which works directly in front of the 

 plate. With this shutter practically no light is lost, 

 so that with the minimum exposure you secure the 

 greatest possible amount of illumination. Exposures 

 of up to one thousandth of a second may thus be 

 given when conditions are favourable. Needless to 

 say, a camera of the graflex type is by far the best 

 for such work, as it enables one to focus on the bird 

 up to the instant of making the exposure. By this 

 means a sharply defined photograph is almost a cer- 

 tainty, if the shutter is set at the required speed. 



In order to secure photographs of adult birds by 

 themselves during the nesting season, our difficulties 

 are greatly lessened, for we have one point to which 

 the bird is unfailingly attracted, the nest or the place 

 where the young are hidden being the attraction, 

 that is, the point to which we should devote our- 

 selves. If we stand near the nest, or even place an 

 object such as the camera near it, we will notice 

 that the birds usually select some particular twig on 

 which to perch each time they come near the nest 

 or their young. Here is our opportunity; focus 

 the camera on this point, and make the exposure 

 when the bird assumes a suitable attitude. In case 

 there is no conspicuous perch for the birds, place a 

 dead branch where you wish them to come, and 

 more than likely they will take advantage if it offers 



