28 OUT TO LAKE ILE A LA CROSSE 



the tree next to the nest, thereafter nailing on 

 cross-rungs up which to climb. Had we made the 

 ladder complete on the ground, our united 

 strength could not have raised the cumbersome, 

 sap-heavy thing into position, nor would the 

 nails have held it together, since the wood was 

 green and soft. The ladder ready, the camera 

 was slung by a cord from my neck, the distance 

 to nest measured on the ground, and the camera 

 set to focus before ascending. The position on 

 the top rung was precarious — with the left arm 

 tightly gripping around the tree trunk, to prevent 

 my falling, I had only the free use of the one 

 hand to bring the camera into position, remove 

 the shutter, and touch off the release. However, 

 gradually I worked the camera round from my 

 back on to my right breast and then brought 

 it to bear steadily on the nest by straining the 

 cord back with my neck. After some trouble, 

 I secured three exposures. It took some time 

 to do all this. What was my reward ? None at 

 all ! Just a record of disaster ; for my reference 

 to this particular film-pack, which I was then 

 using, reads : " Rest of film-pack spoilt through 

 films jamming and not coming out properly." 



And that was the only occasion on which I 

 have ever seen a living Goshawk or the nest of 

 that species. 



Beaver Riveb, 



May 18. 



Long days and many labours 



Arose 4 a.m. Came on about twenty-five miles. 

 Lay down to sleep at 9 p.m. A seventeen-hours 



