CHAPTER VIII. 



PHOTOGRAPHING BY ROPE-WORK ON THE 

 CLIFF-FACE. 



THIS is at once the most exciting and strenuous 

 phase of bird-photography, calling for much agility 

 and endurance, but, if properly conducted, it is 

 not, as usually imagined, the most difficult and 

 dangerous. Its hazards have been grossly enlarged 

 upon for effect, and, no doubt, thrilling narratives 

 have resulted, but frankly, granted suitable men, 

 plant, and methods, we do not consider that this is 

 in itself more dangerous than, say, tree- work, where 

 so much depends upon the strength of an unknown 

 quantity the branches. 



The Source of Danger. 



The chief source of danger lies, not in the practice 

 itself, but in the wholly improper manner in which 

 it is, at times, conducted, and its gravest aspect 

 is that an accident, when it does occur, must almost 

 inevitably entail the loss of life. 



The unquestionable quality and strength of the 

 rope would seem to be a matter too obvious to 



