BIRD STUDIES WITH A CAMERA 
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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