BIRD PHOTUGUAPIIY BEGINS AT HOME 4-1 



plished singers. In addition to the insistent, reiter- 

 ated ckissicJc, chissich, wliicli constitutes the song of 

 the male, one soon learns to recognize calls of warn- 

 ing, alarm, flight, battle, and the soft whistle which 

 the bird utters when it approaches its nest — the only 

 musical note in its vocabulary. 



Quick to notice the slightest deviation from nor- 

 mal conditions, House Sparrows are difficult birds 



20. House Sparrmvs iiiul -Tunoo. 



to photograph. They seem to be constantly on the 

 watch for some sign of danger, and an unusual ar- 

 rangement of blind or shade at once arouses their 

 suspicions. After a heavy fall of snow, however, 

 hunger dulls the edge of their fears, and by scatter- 

 ing food near a suitable window the birds may be 

 decoyed within photographing distance.^" It will be 

 found necessary, even then, to conceal the camera. 



