94 PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BIRD-LOVERS. 



of the climber are restricted, as since the point 

 of support is somewhere near, or posterior to, the 

 centre of gravity, the hand-rope is continually 

 required to ensure a stable position. 



Greater freedom of action is afforded by a broad 

 canvas belt passing round the back and under the 

 armpits. It is primitive and almost clumsy in 

 its appearance, but it has many merits. It should 

 be broad and very strong ; our own is made from 

 a piece of a horse's belly-girth and lined inside 

 with thick saddle-felt an inch wider than the belt. 

 This little projection of the padding serves to pre- 

 vent the edge of the girth from cutting one. As it 

 is not fastened to the body, only encircling it in the 

 manner of a life-belt, one can turn this way or that 

 or completely round at pleasure, and even face 

 with ease directly downwards when horizontal, a 

 position quite impossible with either trouser or 

 tri-loop method. And further, since the point of 

 support is anterior to the centre of gravity, one can 

 always get a stable position with the head upper- 

 most without the use of the hand-line, thus 

 leaving both arms free for camera manipulation, 

 a matter of great importance to the photographer. 

 There are, however, two drawbacks to such a belt, 

 and they had better be mentioned now. Firstly, 

 the whole weight is thrown upon the ribs, and 

 after a time there may be a feeling of oppression for 



