ARTIFICIAL ATTRACTION. 89 



small string bag of very fine mesh, out of which 

 the birds pick it with eagerness, or it may be 

 grated and sprinkled over a piece of rough bark 

 or one large piece may simply be pegged down. 

 In any case the point to be ensured is that the food 

 cannot be dragged away out of the field of our 

 lens, as happens when scraps are put down. Meal- 

 worms, too, form a bait almost irresistible to some 

 birds, and there are many other dainties which 

 might be mentioned ; but as there is a little book 

 devoted solely to bird-attraction, it would be 

 superfluous for me to say more in this direction. 



The camera will not require to be hidden with 

 anything like the same care and efficiency as is 

 necessary when working on a bird at its nesting- 

 haunt. The great thing is to have it standing in 

 its final position before the birds first come upon 

 the scene and find the food, for they will then, 

 unless it is very conspicuous, take it to be one of 

 the natural objects of the site and pay no attention 

 to it whatever, and I have more than once known 

 them perch on a camera which was but scantily 

 hidden. The lens should be as much screened as 

 possible, for that may cause a bird alarm at any 

 time. 



Under- Exposure. 



As much of this work will be done during 

 the winter months, one has to use the experience 



