1 92 HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



Not all birds by any means will return under these 

 circumstances. Many kinds I have not tried to see 

 whether they will or not. Some warblers and spar- 

 rows, for instance, make good subjects, and some in- 

 dividuals of the same species are better than others. 

 These feeding scenes often prove very comical, the 

 parent lugging a fat worm or shoving it down the 

 throat of a struggling youngster. Some birds are so 

 intent upon feeding their offspring that they pay no 

 attention to the camera, even when it is not concealed 

 in any way and stands within two feet of them. Yet 

 it is well to make matters easier by concealing it all 

 we can. 



The photographing of birds or their nests in trees 

 is almost a department of the sport by itself, es- 

 pecially if the camera-hunter must make a difficult 

 climb. Certain classes of birds, such as large hawks, 

 owls, crows and herons, usually choose lofty situa- 

 tions, often hard to reach. One needs a pair of 

 climbing-irons for this work, and good training in the 

 use of them. It is a good rule not to ascend difficult 

 trees in the woods alone. When there is good hold- 

 ing, or the climb is easy, I often do it alone, but not 

 when there is any danger. Better come again with 

 help, or even wait for another subject, than be fool- 

 hardy. At the best it needs care and coolness to 

 cling to a lofty perch and manipulate the camera. 

 Some nests, particularly of small birds, are built near 

 the extremities of slender branches and are inaccessi- 

 ble. 



