76 PHOTOGKAPHY FOR BIRD-LOVERS. 



bits of tape or string sewn on all over the outside, 

 like reefing strings on a sail. By means of these, 

 bunches of grass, reeds, or whatever suits the site, 

 can be fastened on, and by propping similar material 

 against its sides on the ground the whole can be 

 made to blend with the surroundings. It is 

 important to avoid a sharp line round the bottom, 

 and bunches of grass should be tied to the sides of 

 the tent, to hide the junction with the ground. 

 In applying these little bundles of covering, it is 

 as well to begin at the top and work downwards, 

 and to be careful not to make the thing too 

 bulky ; the very least that will make it harmo- 

 nious with its surroundings is the best. 



Many birds are naturally unsuspicious: if they 

 do not see quite a quantity of the cloth it causes 

 them very little or no alarm, so long as its surface is 

 well diversified with objects familiar to them ; this 

 especially refers to small hedgerow and woodland 

 birds. It is largely a matter of what their instinct 

 teaches them to fear. Through the long ages their 

 enemies have been for the most part small and 

 swift of action, and so, though they at first regard 

 with mistrust any object strange to them, irre- 

 spective of its size, if it be large and remain quite 

 motionless, it soon becomes familiar to them, and 

 they cease to fear it. Not so the large ground- 

 nesting birds ; ages of sad experience have taught 



