Bird Photography

Another device which the author has found such a constant convenience and time-saver as to be almost indispensable is a ball-and-socket attachment to go on the tripod to which the camera is to be attached. This allows the camera to be pointed almost instantly in any direction, and frequently when quick work is demanded may be the means of securing a picture which might otherwise be lost, and in all cases it is a wonderful convenience.

Incidentals. - Another device, which under certain conditions may be so essential that without it no photographs can be secured, is a steel rod about a foot long and three eighths of an inch in diameter. At one end it tapers and is provided with threads so that it can be screwed into any tree or post. Near the other end is a plate three inches in diameter, with a hole in the centre, allowing the camera and ball-and-socket attachment to be securely fastened to the plate. To illustrate the uses to which this may be put, two instances which happened last summer may be cited. A nest of a song sparrow was found on the ground. An attempt was made to spread out the legs of the tripod so as to get the camera down low enough, but it could not be arranged. So a post was driven into the ground near the nest, and then the screw was turned into the post and the camera attached. A little later in the season, an oriole's nest was found so high up in an old apple tree that it was almost impossible to attach the camera; so the screw was fastened to the largest limb and the camera attached to this. And many other cases will arise where this will be of great service.

Method of working Shutter.-While the birds will soon become accustomed to the nearness of the camera, some device is needed so that the operator may stand at a distance and work the shutter. This may be done by means of long rubber tubing, attached to the shutter, and through which air is forced with a bicycle pump, at the other end. As still another means, a piece of metal may be attached to the lever of the shutter, to lengthen it so that it will snap more easily ; and to this may be tied a piece of linen thread which may be passed around the focusing screw and then carried to any distance.