INTRODUCTION 



many of us the nesting season is perhaps the most 

 interesting phase of Bird-life, partly because our feathered 

 friends throw off at that season a great deal of their natural 

 shyness and timidity, affording us better opportunities of 

 observing their habits, and partly because Nature is then 

 at her freshest, and awakens in us a keener appreciation 

 of the marvellous works of the Creator. 



Some years ago I determined to collect, if possible, a complete series of 

 Photographs, which would possess the accuracy of a scientific work on the 

 nesting habits of birds, and yet be sufficiently attractive for the ordinary lover 

 of birds. 



It is with this idea that I have ventured to publish these Photographs, 

 with short descriptions of the habits of the birds at the nests, the finding of 

 them, the materials of which they are formed, and the methods employed in 

 getting faithful photographs of those more difficult of access, some of which 

 e.g. the Heron on its nest were only secured after hours of anxious watching 

 and much patience. 



It is no easy matter to photograph some of our birds' nests so as to 

 combine a pleasing effect with strict accuracy, some of the tree-breeding species 

 being exceptionally unapproachable. 



I have seen many photographs of birds' nests which have been so 

 manipulated, under the plea of artistic effect, as to lose all that subtle touch 

 which the feathered architect gives to its work. This is not the way to give a 

 faithful picture of a bird's nest. One might just as well stick a stuffed bird 

 on to a growing branch, and, having photographed it, call it a study from 

 Nature. / 



