77 



large mirror makes the place as light as though it were in 

 the bright sunlight. 



We soon have the camera in readiness and retire to a 

 place of concealment behind the next tree, holding a long 

 black linen thread tlie other end of which is attached to a 

 little device to spring the shutter. As the male bird flits to 

 and fro in the sunlight, his blue coat is dazzling in its bril- 



Fig. fi.-. YOUNG BLUEBIRDS. 



liancy. His sombre colored but equally melodious mate is 

 verj' anxious to examine her household but evidently is 

 afraid the square box in front of her door is some sort of a 

 trap. She makes a great many false starts but each succes- 

 sive move brings her a little nearer to the goal until at last 

 she gathers all her courage and alights on the nesting hole. 



