APPARATUS. 15 



part of it, and as such cannot be of too choice 

 manufacture. 



The focal-plane shutter, an almost essential part 

 of this type of camera, seems prone to noisiness 

 even when working at slow speeds, and although 

 the sound is chiefly produced after the slit has 

 crossed the plate, and, therefore, when the exposure 

 has been secured, it is often sufficient to scare the 

 bird away and prohibit further studies. I have 

 not yet found one which did not make a con- 

 siderable noise in working, but perhaps otjiers may 

 be more fortunate, and certainly silent working is 

 one of the chief qualities to be sought. 



A long extension is another necessity, the 

 subjects often being at close-quarters. 



There are other necessar}^ features which will 

 be possessed by a really good reflex, and, as none 

 but the very best will be of service to the bird- 

 photographer, these features need not be considered 

 here. 



The Lens. 



About the lens there is but one thing to be said 

 let it be the best it is possible to afford. If every- 

 thing else be meagre, let the lens be good. Don't 

 grudge its price ; remember it is the lens that does 

 the work ; the camera is only a fashioned box to 

 carry it. If, as suggested, there are two cameras 



