PHOTOGRAPHING THE CROW 105 



left his sheep in the field across which my string ran to the foot of the camera 

 tree, and even as I looked I saw them slowly advancing towards it. 



And in a few moments, as they meandered along, their feet became entangled 

 in it, an unsolicited exposure was made, and the string was broken ! 



I now decided to abandon the idea of Crow photography for the day, and 

 having re-arranged things, set out in search of my companion. At last I found 

 him comfortably reclining in the shade of a spreading oak, and acquainted 

 him with my doleful news. 



He was most sympathetic, and even suggested that on the following day 

 he would like to take a turn in the hiding-place and see if he could not do 

 better. I ventured to suggest, as I thoughtfully regarded his enormous frame, 

 for he weighed some 15 stone, that he might perhaps find the place a little on 

 the small side. ' Oh, that'll be all right,' he answered cheerfully ; ' I shall 

 be comfortable enough.' 



And so it was arranged that, on the following day, he should lie in wait 

 and try for a photograph of the Crow. 



And in due course we arrived on the scene of action : the camera was 

 prepared, the string arranged, and everything in readiness for the great 

 effort. 



4 You are sure you can get in ? ' I asked my friend as we stood at the 

 entrance of the hide. 



4 Of course I can,' he replied, and therewith sank on to his hands and 

 knees with the idea of proving his statement. 



His head and shoulders slowly disappeared into the little opening, while 

 his back parts which he seemed less able to control almost lifted the entire 

 roof from its position ; which reminded me of the manner in which packs 

 used to catch against the roofs of low dug-outs in France. 



But at last he was safely inside, and thoroughly covered in. 



' All right ? ' I asked. 



' Yes, thanks,' he replied. 



4 Got the string ? ' 



' Yes.' 



4 Everything in order ? ' 



4 Yes.' 



4 Can you see the nest ? ' 



4 No.' 



1 Well, how the dickens will you know when to pull the string ? ' 



However, having managed to discern the nest, and feeling that everything 

 was really in readiness this time, he told me that I could go away. 4 All right,' 

 I said, ' I'm going now. Don't forget : if the Crow comes on to the nest Pull 

 the string.' 



What happened next I do not know except that when the Crow did 



o 



