608 BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 



should show if possible, but there is no need in fact it is undesirable to show the whole con- 

 tents of the nest. 



There is nothing more unnatural than a photograph of a nest taken with the lens pointing 

 down directly into it. Many photographs showing this fault have been taken of nests 

 built on the ground, chiefly because of the ease with which the tripod can be erected over, 

 or nearly over, the nest, and the camera swung over to the extreme limit of the tilting- 

 table (see Figs. 1 and 2, Plate LXXIX.). Experience will teach the best height above and 

 distance from the nest for the camera, in order to produce a natural representation. It will 

 depend on the focal length of the lens compared with the size of the plate, and also largely on 

 the conditions of each nest. If, before taking a photograph, the subject is carefully studied on 

 the focusing screen from various points, the disappointment of unnatural effects will be saved. 



Nests among herbage, in bushes or hedges, can seldom be photographed successfully 

 without a certain amount of clearing away of branches, etc., from one side of the nest. 



A nest in a bush that is clearly visible to the eye, may be entirely obscured in a photograph 

 by intervening branches. The eye looks past and ignores these obstacles, the lens cannot do so, 

 but rather makes more of them as being the nearest objects. Clear away just as much as and 

 no more than will ensure a picture of the nest as the eye sees it. In the necessary clearance, 

 and in the time spent over the work, every consideration should be shown for the safety of the 

 nest. Branches should be bent carefully aside, not cut away; and here care is necessary that 

 the interference should not show in the photograph. Always restore the natural cover to a nest 

 before leaving, and obliterate tracks that may lead a possible destroyer to the nest. 



Methods of raising the camera in order to deal with nests at a height from the ground, 

 lengthening the legs of the tripod for working in deep water, or for fixing the camera for nests 

 in trees, may be left to the ingenuity of the worker. I may say, however, that I have always pre- 

 ferred the tripod to any device such as a screw or other method of attaching the camera to a 

 branch for photographing nests in trees, because of the greater freedom it gives in the choice of 

 position. The legs can be fastened to convenient branches with linen bandages rather than 

 straps or string, as there is less tendency to slip and with the help of a tilting-table there is 

 such a range of movement that it is nearly always possible to obtain a good view-point, whereas 

 in fastening the camera directly to a branch, success depends on the presence of a branch in 

 a particular spot. 



IV. PHOTOGRAPHING BIRDS 



In photographing birds two distinct methods are available stalking and working in a tent. 

 The relative merits of each have been frequently discussed, but quite unnecessarily, as one is 

 as indispensable as the other, unless we confine ourselves to depicting a certain phase of bird-life. 

 For the majority of birds on and near their nests, a tent or other method of concealment is 

 necessary. There are, however, many sea-birds, more especially those species that nest in large 

 colonies, that can be stalked and photographed without concealment of any kind. Such birds 

 nest, as a rule, more openly and are less timid in the breeding season than solitary species. 

 But apart from sea-birds at or near their nests, there is a wide and useful field for the stalker in 

 the depicting of birds in groups or singly, not necessarily in the nesting season. In the absence 

 of nests one is uncertain as to where to pitch a tent with a probability of birds coming within 

 range. A skilful stalker may succeed in approaching birds and in obtaining photographs 

 showing courtship display, feeding habits, and other interesting phases which do not come 

 within the scope of a worker in a tent. Some workers have attained a great measure of success 

 in this method with a stand camera and a focusing cloth. Personally I prefer the Reflex type 

 of camera, as being less cumbrous and more quickly brought into action. Whichever type of 

 camera is used, a good lens, working sharply at a large aperture, is desirable. It should be of 



