34 BIEDS 



I have repeatedly noticed the remarkable sense 

 shown by parent birds in protecting their offspring from 

 heavy rains and the sun's hot rays by spreading the 

 wings in such a position as to shield and cast the shadow 

 of the body and wings on the young. This has been espe- 

 cially true when I have tied aside the limbs shading the 

 nest, to get better light for photographing the youngsters 

 in the nursery. I am always careful to replace the pro- 

 tecting foliage as soon as possible. 



It is desirable in picturing birds to be as nearly on 

 a level with the subjects as possible, as the actinic rays 

 of the clear sky act so quickly on the sensitive plate, when 

 full time is given, that on the side next to the camera, the 

 sky is so over-exposed that the plate is fogged. By select- 

 ing the time of day and placing the camera in the best 

 spot available, a fairly good or first-class picture may be 

 obtained. The use of a ray-filter, or screen, is desirable, 

 but unfortunately it increases the time of exposure so 

 much that its utility is doubtful. 



In making a picture of a nesting bird a side view with 

 a quartering illumination, if in sunlight, is desirable. 

 The eggs and young should be pictured just as the old 

 birds placed them. Avoid handling the eggs and expos- 

 ing them to the hot sun 's rays, all that is possible. 



Pictures at the nest show the rapidity of growth of 

 the young and the variety and amount of food furnished 

 by the old birds. The breathing of birds on hot, sultry 

 days is rapid and requires, if the camera is within a few 

 feet of the birds, a quick exposure. By quick exposure 

 I mean using stop F. 8, 1/25 to 1/100 of a second, and 

 light conditions must be favorable to get full-timed nega- 

 tives at these speeds. 



The force of habit in birds is beautifully amplified in 

 the feeding parents in their manner of approaching the 

 nest. The exact lighting spot near the nest and the direc- 

 tion of approach are so frequently followed that one may 

 with assurance focus on some particular place with a 

 good chance that the bird will pursue the route, as ob- 

 served before placing the camera in position. This 

 knowledge of bird habits often prevents failure through 

 having the subjects out of focus. 



If in doubt as to whether there is sufficient light to 

 secure a good picture I have, on many occasions, resorted 



