1 8 Wild Birds 



themselves, are far from unimportant. When the tent is closed 

 absolute silence must be maintained, for while this is not always 

 necessary it is the best rule to follow during the first days of 

 observation. 



The best time to begin is from eight to nine o'clock in the 

 morning, because the young will then have been fed, and the 

 sun will be getting high enough for the most rapid photographic 

 work. One may spend as many hours a day, and as many days 

 at one nest, as time permits or inclination decides. I will only 

 suggest that the second day is always better than the first, and 

 that the third or fourth is always sure to bring something new. 

 If one would learn the nesting habits of any species thoroughly, 

 it will hardly do to rely upon one nest. The more you see of 

 different nests and different birds the better. 



I usually spend five or six hours in the tent, from nine in the 

 morning until three in the afternoon, when the weather is fine. 

 If the camping ground is near my house, as it often is, I leave 

 the tent for half an hour at noon, but if it is far, I carry a lunch 

 and spend the day. When possible, I am always on hand during 

 the last day of life at the nest, to see the young leave it, usually 

 one at a time, and to witness the manoeuvres of the parents in 

 conducting them to the nearest trees. 



Under some circumstances, as when studying Gulls and other 

 sea fowl, I have found it distinctly advantageous to use two 

 tents, occupying one in the morning and the other in the after- 

 noon, or setting the second tent one or two days in advance, so 

 that when required it will have become a familiar object to the 

 birds, and no time need be lost. 



Young birds from one to five days old cannot, as a rule, 

 stand excessive heat. Even when fed and brooded they will 

 sometimes succumb, and here lies the serious danger 

 tionTtobe to be g uarded against. A nest of very young birds 

 observed we ^ shaded by foliage cannot be safely carried into 

 the direct sunshine of a hot summer's day, hence the 

 importance of beginning operations at the proper time when 

 the weather is suitable, and, further, of not allowing your en- 

 thusiasm to get the better of your judgment. 



