THE CONDOR 



Vol. IX 



hands full to get the picture, the youngsters being most decidedly lively, and 

 keeping nie busy replacing them as they hopped off the perch. This, one or more 

 was sure to do when I thought I had them all right and turned toward the camera. 

 But patience was finally rewarded. 



L,earning by experience ,when I went to take the four weeks old picture I en- 

 listed the aid of the two young daughters of the friend on whose ranch the nest 

 was situated. On going to the nest the family of magpies were all in the Ijranches 

 outside. They could not quite fly, but could, and did, hop around in a most 

 exasperating manner. One could not be caught, and we were forced to be content 



magpie's nest in COTTONWOOD TREE 



with five. This number, however, pro^^ed sufiicient to give us all the trouble in 

 posing w^e really needed. This day was the first when the old birds had mani- 

 fested the least anxiety while the photographer was at work. Usually the parents, 

 if about, flew away silently at my approach and disappeared. But this time they 

 were in the neighborhood all the time, screaming loudly, as if to tell us they had 

 raised their family successfully so far and did not wish them interfered with. 



I went again" a week later and found the youngsters taking short flights. 

 Thanks to experimenting with a new and untried lens not a single picture was 

 secured. But one is given herewith of a bird seemingly about the same age, and 



