1 64 Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist 



tractable than at any other season. This is 

 probably due to the fact that the fear for their 

 own safety is overshadowed by their desire to 

 protect their home and young to the best of their 

 ability. Certain it is that we can do with them 

 at this period what would be entirely out of the 

 question at any other time. 



The fear of mankind is inherent in all birds, 

 and, in fact, all wild animals, but by careful 

 management and gentle treatment this fear can, 

 temporarily and often to a large extent, be al- 

 layed ; although, owing to the fact that it has been 

 inborn through so many generations, we can 

 never hope to entirely eradicate it. In the breed- 

 ing time, however, as at no other, can we come 

 the nearest to doing this, even, in some cases, to 

 such a degree as might, to the inexperienced, 

 seem almost incredible. This is entirely de- 

 pendent upon the individuality of the bird, for 

 birds, as well as human beings, have individuality 

 and many individuals of the same species vary 

 remarkably in their temperament. 



Many times I have found it impossible to con- 

 vince a pair of these feathered friends of ours that 

 I meant neither them nor their home any harm, 

 although I have striven, not only for hours, but 

 actually for days, to prove this to them. On the 

 other hand I have so far won the confidence of 

 another pair, possibly of the same species, that 



