^THE * OOLOGIST.«= 



VOL. VII. 



ALBION N. Y., SEP, 1890. 



No, 9 



The Use of the Camera in the Field. 



We shall suggest in this ai'ticle some 

 application of photography to the study 

 . of ornithology, alluding particularly to 

 the use of the camera in studying nests 

 and nesting sites of birds; and briefly 

 to the climatic and botanical influences 

 upon the bird at the time of nesting. 



We hope that ornithological photo- 

 graphy will claim some part of your 

 attention. The beauties of nature 

 Avhich are so manifested in the 

 feathered tribes and their modes of 

 nesting will surely create a desire to 

 photograph them, while as regards the 

 latter it should not be forgotten that in 

 bird architecture there lies hidden in a 

 great measure, "a key to the minds and 

 thoughts of the birds." 



Jf we could steal quietly upon a nest 

 every day during construction and 

 from the same point each day take a 

 photograph, carefully noting the 

 changes Avhich have occurred, which 

 are not shown in the picture, would 

 not our series when complete bring to 

 our knowledge many interesting facts? 

 (however not forgetting to note the 

 condition of the weather.) 



I venture an answer; It would prove 

 far more instructive than a series of 

 eggs; prove whether nesting was car- 

 ried on steadily or was influenced by 

 cloudy, rainy or windy days or violent 

 storms; last Ijut not least, the exact 

 number of days occupied in the con- 

 struction. 



It would show Avhere new material 

 was daily woven in or added; the 

 mason woi'k as it progressed; the 

 lichen overlaying or downy lining as 

 the case might be, until the structure 

 was complete. 



Whether or not, it is possible to com- 

 plete such a series without causing the 



birds to forsake the nest remains to be 

 found out. 



To those who feel disposed to attempt 

 another ditticult subject, we will say 

 that we liave yet to see a series of pho- 

 tographs illustrative of the develop- 

 ment of the chick in the egg. Another, 

 but less diflicult subject could be srg- 

 gested: A series of photographs illus- 

 trating the growth of young birds. 



During our spring-time rambles in 

 wood, meadow and marsh is there not 

 many a nest beautifully constructed 

 upon which we look with admiration 

 and delight; many a nest neatly woven 

 showing the artistic taste of Warbler 

 and Oriole in the choice of site and 

 selection of material; nests judiciously 

 concealed which baftie our wits to dis- 

 cover; scores of nests of all sizes, some 

 plain, others beautiful; which are com- 

 mon sights to us and which we keep to 

 ourselves or forget as years come and 

 go? 



Would not photographs of nests of 

 birds which are not common in yotir 

 locality be exceedingly intei-esting to 

 your oological friends in remote dis- 

 tricts where such birds never venture, 

 if not interesting to yourselves? 



Who can describe the magnificence 

 of the architecture of some birds. We 

 are too ignorant of the grandeur which 

 lies hidden in remote localities and will 

 be imless we see it with our own eyes. 

 Is it not possible for us to have these 

 sights brought to us by the valuable 

 assistance of photography? 



Oh, readers! if we would collect fewer 

 sets and pay more attention to the 

 nests and their composition; more at- 

 tention to the birds and their habits; 

 and have more pictures showing nest- 

 ing sites, form, etc., we would learn 

 much more, and find our collections 

 more valusib'e and interesting. We are 

 too anxious for large series and a great 



