54 PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BIRD-LOVERS. 



disconcerting movement. The direction of the 

 approach should be at once decided upon, regard 

 being paid not only to the facilities the ground 

 affords for stalking, but also to the direction of the 

 light. And here it may be pointed out that our 

 methods of stalking are precisely the opposite 

 from those usually adopted by the sportsman. 

 Cover is a thing to be avoided ! Even if it were 

 possible to approach a bird closely and unseen, the 

 moment any portion of the photographer or of his 

 apparatus emerged from behind the cover, the bird 

 would flee precipitately. We must rather start, 

 and remain throughout, fully in view, trying by 

 our actions to allay fear and arouse curiosity. 



When once the stalk has been embarked upon, 

 the advance will often perforce be exceedingly 

 slow, and a crouching or crawling attitude naturally 

 suggests itself as being less alarming than an 

 upright one. Most important is it that every 

 movement and action should be characterized by 

 smoothness, and as one creeps carefully forward, 

 ever watching the manner of the bird for signs 

 of undue nervousness, the limbs should be moved 

 deliberately one at a time. It may take twenty 

 minutes to gain as many feet, for often the path 

 is among a chaos of boulders or along the gentler 

 slopes of a cliff-face, but if the birds are resting 

 they will keep up their interest in you for twice 



