BIRD-NESTING WITH A CAMERA 193 



Perdix cinerea^ beyond which, the eggs of the first- 

 named species are lighter in colour and larger than 

 those of its English relative. 



A good photograph of a clutch of Pheasant's 

 eggs makes a nice picture to hang in a bird's-nest 

 academy, and careful stalking should result in the 

 young enthusiast finding a nest-full of eggs just as 

 they were laid one on top of another by the parent 

 bird. It is remarkable to notice how, in the early 

 Spring, the eggs of these birds are protected by 

 dead leaves. The Pheasant makes little or no 

 attempt at building a nest, and the eggs, when 

 laid in a wood or bank where Oak or other leaves 

 carpet the ground, are exceedingly difficult to 

 locate unless one possesses the seeing eye. 



The last photograph that our notebook reminds 

 us of as being taken on a recent bird-hunting 

 expedition was not secured without much per- 

 severance and trouble. It was a Sparrow Hawk's 

 nest built in a low tree about thirty feet high. As 

 a matter of fact, the Hawks did not build the nest 

 themselves, but took possession of the disused 

 homestead of a Jay. By skilful manipulation on 

 the part of our indispensable gamekeeper friend, 

 the photographer was able to take his photograph 

 in comparative comfort, for the former quickly 

 rigged up a well-built platform of sticks strongly 

 fastened together. A good photograph was the 

 result, but the young bird-nester with a camera 



