252 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



in the pages of this book. I had great difficulty in 

 photographing the lapwing; three days were occupied 

 in securing a series of eight pictures. My camera 

 was well concealed underneath a heap of rubbish, 

 which was previously placed near the nest. I was in 

 hiding behind a hedge over a hundred yards away, 

 and watched the bird with my field-glasses. The 

 wire connection being not quite long enough, I had a 

 length of string attached, with which to connect the 

 wires. If it had not been for this, I should have 

 progressed well ; but somehow, some cattle, which 

 were grazing near, insisted upon entangling their 

 feet in this, and thus exposing the plate. Bird 

 photographers get used to little trivialities like this. 

 Many plates were wasted, and a climax was reached 

 on the third day. First a calf came along and got 

 its feet caught in the string, and so exposed the 

 plate. After another hour or so, several cows walked 

 towards the camera and looked well at it ; then one, 

 seemingly more inquisitive, looked into the hole 

 which was left for the lens to point through, put her 

 tongue into this and licked the glass. When these 

 were driven away a horse became entangled in the 

 string and spoilt another plate. About noon six 

 horses trotted gaily up to the camera and seemed to- 

 hold a short consultation, and then commenced 

 business. One began eating the electrical apparatus, 

 others chewed the covering of the camera, and one, 



