CINEMATOGRAPHY. 117 



from the mechanical and manipulative difficulties 

 of the process, there is ever present the trouble of 

 the bird's aversion to the rattling noise made by 

 the wheels and shutter in rapid motion ; but on this 

 score at least the work is not quite so difficult as 

 might be anticipated. On the one hand the noise 

 of the instrument may be somewhat reduced, 

 or it may at least be muffled, while on the 

 other, by great care and patience, some birds 

 may be induced not to fear the click and rattle 

 of even the most noisy machine. I have already 

 indicated (page 83) the extraordinary amount of 

 confidence that may be inspired in a bird, and once 

 this is done, as in the case cited, there is really no 

 difficulty in the work peculiar to the subject there 

 are only such as are natural to the process, and 

 these unfortunately are not few. But, of course, 

 one does not find a bird " ready made " in the 

 trustful state there described ; her fear has to be 

 allayed by days of careful working. But such a 

 case serves to show the possibility of the work 

 without the aid of a specially silent instrument. 



A roomy tent is necessary, for we have to be able 

 to move freely and to turn a handle (unless the 

 apparatus is driven mechanically) without fear 

 of touching the sides with our arms and causing 

 the tent to shake. As absolute rigidity is impera- 

 tive, a very massive and widespread tripod is 



