A Bittern Photograph 



(See preceding page) 



I SEND you by this mail a print from a negative made by myself at Nipper- 

 sink Lake, 111., on June 8, 1907, of an American Bittern on its nest. While 

 pushing a boat through some marsh vegetation in this lake, I discovered 

 the bird as seen in the picture. I was accompanied by students in bird-study 

 from the University of Chicago. We approached the nest carefully, taking pic- 

 tures at two or three intervals and constantly expecting the bird to fly. Finally, 

 we drew our boats up within a few feet of the nest. 



I had, unfortunately, used my last plate, but was able to borrow a camera 

 from a student. The camera being of strange model, several minutes were re- 

 quired in getting ready for a picture. This one was finally obtained, to the great 

 relief of the students and myself. Still the Bittern sat motionless on its nest, 

 except for a very slight shifting of the head in following my movements. At 

 length, in order to see the eggs, it seemed necessary to lift the bird. When my 

 hand was within less than eighteen inches of the nest, fear overcame the brood- 

 ing instinct and the four eggs were abruptly exposed to view. A week later I 

 visited the nest again. This time the bird permitted a picture at a boat's length, 

 approximately, but flew when we approached within eight feet of the nest. 



R. M. Strong. 



GREEN HERON AND NEST 

 Photographed by George Shiras, 3d. 



(no) 



