I UCTTBII^ vKV trox “” *** — * ~’ * 1 ,. , 
| making the nest. The actions of the bird 
j when binding cobwebs in a suitable fork to 
I . .... are most amusing. 1 lie 
Dec, 1889.] 
AND (DLOGIST. 
183 
positions. It gives one a true idea of th 
bird’s motion and characteristics peculiar eac) 
to itself. One has a sure thing on identifies 
tion in the field, collecting nests, leaving n 
doubts of the species to be settled by the guni 
Some there are who may say, “ But you can’ 
get close enough to always do that.” Tak 
time, just as you would to hunt or watch tin 
bird in the case of your wanting to know wha 
it is. 1 have yet to see the nest or bird in tin 
busli that a true collector’s wits, of Nature’: 
facts, could not get within five or ten feet o 
his object long enough to spring a shot on hi: 
sensitive plate. 
As shy a little bird as the Hummers are, 
have had my face within ten inches of the bin 
on the nest; the same with many Sparrows 
Finches, Warblers, and even the timid Fly 
catchers. I well remember the time I took ; 
grand negative of the Farallone Cormorants 
on one of my never-to-be-forgotten trips. How 
I set uii my camera within five feet of them! 
Only four or five birds left the nests; they soon 
came back after circling several times over- 
head, and finally settling down on the edges of 
the nests, others covering the eggs at once, 
even picking the weeds from one another’s 
homes to place on their own, — a habit pecu- 
liar to the Cormorants. I found while tending 
the duties of incubation, in another plate of: 
Western Gulls, they would walk around the 
nest, I suppose to see if it was in trim for “hav- 
ing their picture took,” like a country lass. 
I use for general work of this character a 
medium plate, not too quick in its action, for 
a better success is had in handling the devel- 
opment of it. 
Detective cameras can be had now all the 
way from ten to a hundred dollars or more. I 
will give a description of mine for the benefit 
of the O. & O. readers. Cost complete with 
one double plate-holder, $37. 50 (made to order), 
and I would not give it for the best hundred 
dollar outfit in the market. It is made of Span- 
ish cedar, polished, 8% inches in height, same 
in depth, 6 % wide, a focus range of 2% inches 
(outside of that is always in focus, a distance 
indicator marked off from 3 to 25 feet; outside 
of 25 feet is in focus on everything. Two field- 
finders, one for uprights. The shutter Works 
in the lens, regulated for any desired time by 
a set of five notches (can be set for time ex- 
posure). The sliding cap over the lens when 
moved for exposure opens the finder at the 
same time, and on seeing the image on the 
finder, you know your lens is open ready for 
the snap of the shutter. Maker of lens, R. D. 
on the ground and watch the result; both 
would commence a walk round. Beginning 
with a twelve-foot circle they would gradually 
close in, all the time making a noisy demon- 
stration, and at the finish would attack the 
despised object. 
They in many ways showed marked signs of 
affection, and I never knew them to quarrel 
(except over squash bugs). If one found any 
food he would always make it known to the 
other. They were always together, and would 
play like kittens. Each knew his name and 
when I spoke to them would answer. 
I had heard that if their tongues were split 
they would talk. I could find no one who 
knew about the matter, so concluded to try 
the experiment myself. I cut the cord on the 
under part of the tongue so as to allow them a 
free swing (not splitting). They did not seem 
to mind the operation but as soon as performed 
they both marched about with beaks opened 
and kept shaking their heads. I never suc- 
ceeded in getting them to articulate a word 
but certainly there was a change in their tone. 
At times when a short distance off, they 
sounded like a lot of children jabbering and 
laughing, and from that day their “song” at- 
tracted the attention of the neighbors. 
I never shall forget the first snow-storm they 
experienced. They had been roosting in the 
woodshed. As I opened the door both came 
to the sill, neither would venture out. First 
one would put out his foot, touch the snow 
and quickly withdraw it; then the other would 
try it, and then they would both scold. They 
kept this up for some time and I began to 
think that I should have to throw them out 
myself. Finally one made the break, quickly 
followed by the other, and then the fun com- 
menced. They evidently did not like the feel- 
ing to their feet but were otherwise delighted. 
One would lie down and the other turn him 
over. They would roll, llutter, squawk and 
chase each other in high glee. When the snow 
became deep I again resorted to meal for then- 
feed. And now comes the sad ending. When 
they first began to walk they would go to the 
igravel path and pick up small round stones. 
These they would swallow, and after retaining 
them for awhile would eject them, and I could 
see these little piles of stones all over the 
yard. They were evidently used as digesters, 
and when discarded were held together by 
efuse from the stomach. When the ground 
was covered with snow they were unable to 
obtain the stones. I neglected to look out for 
this requirement, and one day in the early 
