CONCEALMENT. 59 



There are two quite distinct principles of 

 working, differing much in their methods and 

 advantages. The first, which may be termed the 

 " double " method, is to conceal the camera close 

 to where the bird is expected to appear, while the 

 operator is in turn hidden separately at some 

 convenient distance. The second or " combined " 

 method, is for the photographer to hide himself 

 and the camera in the same screen. 



Modus Operand!. 



Success in either case depends mainly on absolute 

 concealment, and the means by which this may 

 be attained are simply endless. First of all, it is 

 of the utmost value to have an idea of the character- 

 istics of the bird we are working with, otherwise, 

 in our zeal to make the hiding-place secure, we 

 may raise such a mountain near the nest as will 

 cause the bird to forsake it. Few birds are prone 

 to do so except under the greatest provocation, 

 but some are very indifferent mothers and have 

 no scruples about deserting. There is, too, a 

 strong personality among birds, individuals of the 

 same species varying greatly in this as in other 

 respects. It is well, therefore, to feel one's way 

 a little before erecting any structure of an alarming 

 nature near the nest. A small mound of sods, 

 branches or whatever suits the site, can be made 



