44 WILD LIFE AT HOME. 



to take photographs in tall hedges. We have made 

 many pictures in both ways, and though the trouble 

 has been sometimes considerable, the results have 

 more than repaid us. 



Photographing from boats, either moored or in 

 motion, is a somewhat difficult matter ; however, it 

 can be managed, and with a fair degree of success 

 too, if a little care and patience be exercised. We 

 have succeeded in photographing a Reed-warbler's 

 nest from a rowing-boat held in position by an oar 

 only on the River Cam, and a dabchick's nest on 

 a small lough in the South of Ireland by lashing 

 a long pole to each leg of the tripod, and lowering 

 the whole carefully over the side of a boat. 



The study of the coot's nest on the previous page 

 was made amongst the reeds of a Norfolk Broad by 

 seizing a number of them on each side of the boat, 

 and thus holding it in position. Even then the ex- 

 posure had of necessity to be a short one, on account 

 of the liability of such an unstable article as a boat 

 in water to answer at once the slightest movement 

 of any of its occupants. 



We sometimes use our miniature camera or 

 view-finder with good effect whilst on the water. 

 The vignette of a fishing-smack under sail at the 

 back of the half-title to this book was taken by 

 its aid from a rowing-boat being pulled ri^ht across 

 her bows. 



The miniature camera is, of course, an absolute 

 necessity in making pictures of sea-birds at home 



