Jan., 1920 IMPORTANCE OF THE BLIND IN BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY 11 
The most satisfactory method of procuring bird ‘‘portraits’’ is to construct 
a blind such as will afford the necessary concealment of the photographer and 
his camera equipment. Much has been written on the subject, and blinds of vari- 
ous styles employed, all no doubt with a certain degree of success. The ‘‘string 
pull”’ and other similar methods of photographing birds from a distance can but 
result in a great deal of wasted energy and material, with an occasional good 
picture a matter of chance. For truly satisfactory work the blind is an essential 
feature and may be of any one of several designs; and it should be sufficiently 
large to comfortably house the operator and his camera. The pattern used in 
making the pictures reproduced herewith is original and has proven a remarka- 
ble success in every detail. A more complete description than here given will be 
furnished gratis upon request. 
Fig. 1. ILLUSTRATES STRUCTURE AND POSITION OF BLIND USED IN SECURING THE 
PICTURES WHICH FOLLOW. ENTRANCE TO FLICKER’S NEST SHOWS IN RIGHT- 
HAND TREE TRUNK. 
My blind is 21% feet wide, 4 feet long, 6 feet high and covered with aero- 
plane cloth, a drab-colored, waterproof material which when rolled into a com- 
pact bundle can be easily carried on the shoulder. The cost of the entire outfit 
was something less than seven dollars, and several hours each evening for about 
a week were required to complete it, although I worked along a more elaborate 
scale than was necessary, with a view of having a blind which would last indefi- 
nitely. Nevertheless I feel well repaid for my efforts. 
A special knowledge of the habits of birds is really of no great importance 
at the outset ; much useful data will be gained by observation when the work is in 
progress which could not be acquired in any other manner. It is well to know 
the names of those species which are destined to become the subject of one’s ef- 
