NEST-PHOTOGRAPHY. 29 



trifle, either by the slipping of a leg or the 

 rotation of the turn-table when re-opening the 

 shutter. When, by the constancy of the wind, even 

 this is impracticable, there is nothing for it but to 

 build a screen. If the site permits of it, the camera 

 should be placed on the windward side of the nest, 

 and a few stout sticks cut and thrust upright in 

 the ground in a semi-circle, a branch or two being 

 tied on them diagonally. On this frame-work 

 let every available piece of cloth or clothes be 

 stretched ; focussing cloth, changing bag, coat, 

 vest and any other pieces of raiment the keenness 

 of the worker may suggest ; and lastly, when all is 

 ready, let the photographer kneel down, bulb in 

 hand, blocking up the most exposed side with his 

 body. To get the best result from such a screen 

 it must be built as close up to the nest as possible, 

 or the wind, swirling over the top, will reach the 

 grass near the eggs. It should never be placed 

 behind the camera, but underneath or just in front 

 of it, when two of the tripod legs can form part of 

 the framework. A sheet or two of paper will be 

 found useful, as lack of wherewithal to cover the 

 framework is often the difficulty. Pictures which, 

 by reason of the incessant movement of the foliage, 

 and the long exposure necessary on account of 

 their position at the bottom of the grass, are quite 

 unattainable without the screen we have described, 



