1 66 Photography for the Sportsman Naturalist 



noticing me or the camera. Of course I did not 

 let such an opportunity pass to obtain pictures of 

 tlie old bird, but I also wanted some of the 

 young. Do what I would, however, she would 

 not remain off the nest long enough for me to 

 focus properly and make an exposure, until I 

 finally was forced to take her in my hand and 

 hold her while I was doing this. Even then she 

 returned to her young the instant that I released 

 her. At another time I found it necessary to 

 forcibly remove a female bluebird from her nest 

 before I could obtain the picture which I wanted 

 of the eggs that it contained. 



It is not always the case that the female is the 

 most fearless, althoug;h I am bound to admit that 

 this is more often so. I have had instances, 

 however, as in the case of a male chestnut-sided 

 warbler, which I once photographed at its nest, 

 where he went repeatedly, and within a short 

 time of the setting up of the camera, with 

 food for the young, while the female refused to 

 approach within several feet of it. She would 

 bring food and hop among the bushes, in close 

 proximity to the nest, uttering distressed cries, 

 but, while the male did his duty, she could not 

 overcome her fear of the camera sufficiently to 

 allow her to come within three or four feet of it 

 and her young ones. 



Some species of birds I have found invariably 



