PHOTOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS AND BIRDS. 37 



G 1 supplementary pane of glass to shut off one half 

 of box if necessary. S S supports of box. 



If it is not necessary to keep one's victim in the 

 studio for any length of time, the plaster of Paris lining 

 may be dispensed with. Some means of ensuring rounded 

 corners will, however, be found desirable, and it will 

 often be convenient to leave one's sitter, even if pos- 

 sessed of gnawing capacities, overnight. A similar box 

 of metal might, of course, be constructed, but would be 

 beyond the powers of most amateurs. 



The modus operandi is as follows. The victim, 

 having been secured, is dropped (out of the trap as 

 a rule) through the narrow opening made by drawing 

 apart G G the two covering panes of glass. The 

 camera lens is next inserted through the indiarubber. 

 If there is any trouble about this, as may occur with a 

 large shutter fitted to the lens mount, one has two 

 alternatives either to arrange the camera before 

 inserting the sitter, or to confine the sitter in the half 

 of the box farthest from the camera, by the insertion 

 of the additional pane of glass G 1 . If the sitter is 

 especially wild it may be necessary to restrict his move- 

 ments by moving G 1 towards him, and photographing 

 through it. In this case G G must be of suitable pro- 

 portions. When first inserted in his new surroundings 

 the animal's efforts will be probably directed towards 

 finding a corner by which to escape. The rounded 

 plaster of Paris at the junction of the sides and ends of 

 the box will obviate the constant repetition of back 

 views, due to this endeavour. 



