BIED STUDIES WITH A CAMEEA 



BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY BEGINS AT HOME 



HE influence exerted by the camera 

 in creating new values for the 

 bird student is perhaps nowhere 

 more evident than in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of one's home. 

 Even the view from our windows 

 possesses fresh significance as we 

 speculate on the probability of securing a desirable 

 picture from this or that point of vantage, while 

 birds to which long familiarity has partially 

 dimmed our vision now become possible subjects 

 for our camera, and we find ourselves observing 

 their movements with an alertness before unknown. 

 In my own case, I have learned almost to tolerate 

 the House Sparrows, with which I have been at war 

 as long as memory serves me, for the pleasure found 

 in attempting to outwit these shrewd, independent, 

 impudent rats among birds ; and, on closer acquaint- 

 ance, they prove such interesting subjects for study 

 that, if their vocal ability equaled their intelligence, 

 they might be as generally liked as they are hated. 

 So much for the magic of a sweet voice. As it is, 

 they possess a greater variety of notes than they are 

 generally credited with, and their conversational 

 powers undoubtedly exceed those of many accom- 

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