Preface 



but require an incentive. If the destruction of life 

 can be minimized by the finding of some satisfac- 

 tory substitute lor the gun, no one will be the loser. 



Such a substitute I myself have found in the 

 camera, which fully satisfies my hunter's instinct. 

 Far more skill and resource are required to photo- 

 graph a wild creature than to shoot it, and the pic- 

 ture, when secured, is, ordinarily, of far greater 

 value than a few mouthfuls of flesh. As I recall 

 successful shots at fowl from the gunning-stand, I 

 would give much to have the pictures now to en- 

 thuse me, in exchange for fleeting memory. Would 

 it not be wise policy to interest our boys in Nature- 

 study, and the camera as applied to it, and discour- 

 age shooting at living things ? Real acquaintance 

 with a harmless and beautiful wild creature, I can 

 testify, makes one less and less disposed to take its 

 life. 



Hence I would most cordially commend to my 

 fellow sportsmen and bird-lovers this noble instru- 

 ment. An expensive outfit is entirely unnecessary. 

 In case my own experience may be of any encour- 

 agement, let me say that all my pictures in this 

 book were taken with an ordinary 4 by 5 focusing 

 camera, rapid rectilinear lens, and bellows of 12 

 inches draw, that cost me less than $20. I consider 

 the 4 by 5 size just right for field work. Equipped 

 with such a camera and any good make of rapid 

 plates, with a little careful study and practice of 

 photographic method, following out some such plans 

 afield as are described in this and other volumes, 

 joined with real love for the birds and Nature, there 

 is no reason why anyone may not succeed better 



ix 



