Vol. XVI.I 

 1916 J 



Camera Craft Notes-. 



51 



have located. Here, at any rate, we are always fairly sure of a 

 satisfactory reception, and are able to continue our homeward 

 journey with the comfortable feeling that we are not carrying a 

 batch of blank plates. One pair of Pardalotes has been a 

 favourite for several seasons. The nesting hole is in a very 

 favourable position, both as regards sunlight and convenience. 

 Usually, the time chosen for camera work is when the young are 

 in the nest, for we are confident of being able to focus on the 

 parent birds. 



Red-tipped Pardalote. 



'ROM A PHOTO BY S. A. LAWRENCE, R.A.O.I 



Our first step on arriving at the nest is to make sure that the 

 adults are not inside, and then to close up the entrance to the 

 burrow with a piece of stone. The tripod is then placed in 

 position, and generally, before the camera is fairly trained on 

 some point near by, one of the birds (often both do so) is hopping 

 on to it, and from it to the nest entrance. A long thread to 

 release the shutter is unnecessary ; the operator sits by, and 

 waits for a favourable position. Our faith in this particular 

 family was almost shattered on one occasion, when, after we had 

 proudly described the birds to another nature photographer, and 



