32 



BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 



when the light is soft and the foliage comparatively 

 motionless, permitting the use of a small diaphragm 

 and a long exposure. 



Young Birds. The ease with which photographs 

 of young birds may often be secured, the fact that 

 with the camera their appearance and development 

 may be more satisfactorily recorded than in any 

 other way, makes their study by the photographer 

 of exceeding importance. Photographs of young 



birds should of 

 course be accom- 

 panied by notes on 

 food, calls, special 

 actions, etc., which 

 the camera can not 

 well portray. 



The young bird 

 is a worthy subject 

 from the moment 

 it leaves the shell 

 until, as far as 

 flight is concerned, 

 it deserves to be 

 ranked with its elders. When possible, series of 

 pictures should be made showing the rate of growth 

 of the same brood from the period of hatching to 

 the date when the nest is deserted. Circumstances 

 do not, however, often permit of the forming of 

 these ideal series, and we must therefore photograph 

 the young bird as we find him, either before or 

 after 15 he has made his initial flight, or as he is 

 preparing for it. 16 



The suggestions made under the head of Birds' 



15. Young Great-crested Flycatcher. 



