307 



often be secured by focusing very c.irefulh' on the ncjt 

 then slight!}' jarring their home. Thinking that their par- 

 ents are returning with food, often the tiny heads, witli 

 wide-open months, will be raised expectantly. Such pic- 

 tures, of course, have to be made with the lens wide open 

 and with a speed of not less than one-lauidredth of a second. 

 Little birds should not be taken from the nest for any pur- 

 pose until they are fully feathered. If they are not large 

 and strong enough to perch on a branch it is folly to try and 

 take them in that position, for tlie result will be unnatural, 

 forced and ugly. 



Families of little birds, side by side, on twigs make ex- 

 cellent bird studies and are easily taken. The branch 

 should be selected and your camera set in position and care- 

 fully focussed before disturbing tlie birds. In sucli cases 

 the lens is always used at its largest aperture for depth of 

 focus is not only not wanted but is undesirable. A softly 

 blended background of as nearly a uniform shade as can be 

 produced is the effect to aim for. Handle the little birds 

 as gently as possible and try and get them to pose easily 

 and gracefully on that section of the branch that is shown 

 on the ground glass. Avoid any quick motions for, should 

 one of the little fellows be startled and try to fly, you will 

 find it very difficult to induce him to remain where you want 

 him to afterwards 



Photographing Adi'lt Birds 



Armed with a reflecting camera it is not difficult to secure 

 pictures of many of the larger birds, such as gulls, terns, 

 ospreys, etc., in flight. One may even occasionally get near 

 enough to take a passably good picture of some of the small- 

 er birds. If, however, anyone depended upon rambling 

 through the fields and woods trying to get these "lucky 

 shots," the photographs representing his season's work 

 would be few in number and of comparatively little value. 



Lenses are mechanical implements. A lens of a certain 



