Method of Bird Study and Photography 1 7 



do not shed their envelopes gradually as in most birds, but 

 remain sheathed up to the last day in the nest. Of greater 

 importance is the understanding of the principles involved, 

 and with these in mind and judiciously applied very few mis- 

 takes should be made. 



At the beginning of observations a nest with eggs should be 

 watched, but not disturbed. When the period of incubation 

 has been determined, and the time of hatching 

 known, the young may be examined and photo- p roce( j ure 

 graphed if it is desired. At all events, they should 

 be watched until the critical time arises for closer study. This 

 decided upon in the manner already suggested, circumstances 

 must determine the course to be followed. 



If the nest, like that of a Robin or Kingbird, is saddled to 

 the branch of a tree, saw off the whole limb and nail it to stakes 

 driven into the ground, so placed as always to give the best 

 light. The nesting bough, in case there is one, should be set 

 with its long axis parallel with the course of the sun, but the 

 position of the bough or tent may be changed during the day 

 when exceptional conditions render it necessary. 



Either a dark foliage or a sky background may be chosen for 

 the nest, according to the desire of the operator or the possi- 

 bilities of the situation. In the first edition of this work it was 

 suggested that whenever a suitable natural background could 

 not be obtained, it would be possible to place either light or 

 dark screens behind the nesting bough, but that no experiments 

 in this direction had then been made. I have since adopted a 

 white photographic screen, and often find it a most useful 

 adjunct to the outdoor observatory. The birds pay little heed 

 to it, except to find in it a useful perch and vantage point for 

 their own observations. The tent is then to be placed in 

 position, or it may be pitched and left overnight beside the 

 nest. 1 In other words, operations may begin at once or be 

 postponed until the following day, the better plan for a beginner 

 until he has mastered minor difficulties, which, though small in 



1 Directions for the construction and use of tent and screen are given 

 in Chapter III. 



