INTRODUCTORY. 3 



to illustrate some merits of the one, the new, by 

 comparison with those of the other, the old and 

 time-honoured. 



Bird-photography is not an old hobby served 

 up in new guise : it is something entirely new, 

 and only rendered possible by late advancements 

 in the photographic art. As we shall see, it may 

 primarily take one of two forms, but in itself it 

 stands alone. 



Before going on to consider methods, it should 

 be realized that success in this work depends as 

 much on the adaptability and resourcefulness of 

 the operator as on the mere technique of photo- 

 graphy. In fact, so diverse are the circumstances 

 which arise that it would hardly be too much to say 

 that each case is peculiar and stands alone, and 

 although there are broad principles, the observance 

 of which will greatly aid us in our work, yet rules 

 and methods must be regarded as elastic to a high 

 degree, the most helpful advice being of a suggestive 

 rather than a fixed and dictatorial character. 



Perhaps the greatest asset for this work is a 

 knowledge of field-craft, either natural and almost 

 instinctive, or acquired, but this in itself is not 

 sufficient. After the subject has been found, and 

 the difficulties of the site and of the bird's shyness 

 overcome, there yet remains the vital part the 

 taking of the picture. 



IA 



