198 HOW TO STUDY BIRDS 



crowned night herons. They were nesting in low 

 oak trees in a strip of woods. Late one afternoon I 

 planted the tent in a favorable spot surrounded by 

 nests. Next morning when I appeared suddenly in 

 the rookery there was a perfect roar of wings as the 

 great birds departed. Before they had time to circle 

 back I was concealed in the tent, and the birds, see- 

 ing that I had disappeared, soon returned to their 

 nests. Some incubated, while their mates perched 

 close by, dozing or preening their feathers. It was 

 fascinating to sit and watch, studying and photo- 

 graphing their beautiful and perfectly natural poses. 

 Those who have affirmed that photographs of birds 

 do not show them as they are in ordinary life were 

 not acquainted with these up-to-date methods. 



On this occasion I had very good success with the 

 telephoto lens, picking out individual birds here and 

 there, and securing images large enough to fill the 

 plate comfortably, so I will further describe its use. 

 At best it is a difficult instrument to manage. Owing 

 to the bellows being racked out so far, with the 

 heavy mounting clear in front, it is very difficult to 

 prevent vibration, and also to see accurately to focus 

 when the light is not very strong. To avoid vibra- 

 tion, I generally cut a stick and prop up the lens. 

 Even then, if the wind is blowing, there is liable to 

 be movement. Its best use is from inside the tent, 

 where everything is still, and where, removed from 

 the sun's glare, it is easier to focus. 



If the subject will allow it, the lens should be 



