Photographing Birds' Nests 141 



nest unprotected when we are done with it and 

 causing the bird to desert. It is best, therefore, 

 when possible, to bend back the branches or other 

 herbage instead of cutting them off, so that they 

 may be returned to their former position when we 

 are through. Where it is necessary to cut a twig 

 the end should be hidden by a leaf, or in some 

 other manner, so that it will not show in the pic- 

 ture. Touch the nest and eggs as seldom as pos- 

 sible, for the natural set and arrangement of it is 

 one of the important features and this is easily 

 disturbed ; besides, a bird will frequently refuse to 

 return to a nest that has been handled. We 

 should always try to avoid doing anything that 

 will drive the birds from their nests. Remember 

 that they have a greater right to them than have 

 we, and then, too, we may wish to use them again 

 later when the eggs have hatched and the old 

 birds are feeding their young. 



The nest photographer's outfit consists of a 

 four by five long-focus camera; any ordinary 

 lens (those of the longer focal lengths are best) ; 

 the long and the short legged tripods ; the ball- 

 and-socket clamp ; the large mirror and a pair of 

 climbing irons. A pair of pruning shears will be 

 found a useful adjunct also, for with them twigs 

 can be clipped with less jar to the nest than with 

 a knife. 



This may seem to be a formidable outfit, but one 



