BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 13 



did she assume this peculiar position of imaginary 

 concealment. 



Another photograph was made in order to 

 satisfy the doubtings of a disbelieving Thomas. 

 The idea of attaching the camera to the higher 

 branch of a tree and making the exposure with the 

 aid of forty feet of rubber tubing was a story too 

 far-fetched for my friend. To convince him that 

 it could be done I selected a nest situated in a 

 crotch of the upper branch of a maple and secured 

 the camera to an adjoining branch about five feet 

 from the nest. 



The conditions were entirely unfavourable for 

 photography, as the mass of leaves cut off the light 

 except in front of the camera. However, a photo- 

 graph had to be made, and so, after arranging things 

 as best I might, I set the shutter for a three seconds' 

 exposure. Then, descending the tree, I waited for 

 the return of the mother thrush. She had through- 

 out been watching the operations, with feelings 

 closely akin to disgust, and when I removed my un- 

 welcome presence to a little distance, she returned 

 to the tree and abused the harmless camera as 

 though it had been some frightful monster. 



Finding it did not retaliate in any way and that 

 it remained absolutely quiet, the excited bird soon 

 quieted down and turned her attention to the 

 hungry brood who called loudly for food. Such 

 calls are imperative, and Mrs. Thrush went off in 

 search of some desirable morsel. This she found 

 after a very short time and with it she returned to 

 the nest. Now was my opportunity and I pressed 

 the bulb. Then, changing plates, I returned to the 



