PHOTOGRAPHING NESTS AND EGGS 49 



for fishing-rods. The whole structure ought to be 

 not less than six feet six inches in height and large 

 enough to allow of the camera being worked conve- 

 niently. The cloth should be painted to imitate a 

 tree-trunk, and to carry out the illusion strips of bark 

 might be attached by means of small wire hooks. 

 Creeping plants, such as vines of different kinds, will 

 add greatly to the realistic effect. Be sure to have 

 ample openings for air at the base and let the top be 

 open, otherwise the heat will be unbearable. A branch 

 thrown over the top opening will be sufficient to con- 

 ceal you from the bird's view. Several openings at 

 different heights will have to be made through which 

 the lens may protrude. When possible, it is as well to 

 place this tree-trunk in position overnight or at least 

 several hours before entering it, thereby avoiding the 

 otherwise long wait, which will be found extremely 

 trying, especially during hot weather, for the heat of 

 these tree-trunks is their greatest objection. The use 

 of any method of concealment aids one in securing 

 photographs of birds, but at the same time it takes 

 away a great deal of the excitement that is to be 

 found in trying to make friends with the bird. Therein 

 lies the principal part of the pleasure of this branch of 

 photography : it takes one close to the bird during 

 the most interesting period of its life, and one has the 

 opportunity of studying the bird's habits to greater 

 advantage than at any other time. The actual diffi- 



