The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-10-14
KERMiT:S NEW Ill.,.
President. Son to &c His Photoc.
rapher on African Trip.
WILL SNAPSHOT WILD LIFE.

SSs.S so0SuS " r.
NJ. Chapman. Well Known Ornitholo-
gist, to Use a Camera In the Field.
Methods Of Swapping Birds.
Kermit Roosevelt is to he the Off
cial photographer with the presidents
party on the African hunting trip. In
preparation for this important work
the young man is studying with
Frank NJ. Chapman. the ornithologist
of New York city.
The responsibility which will rest on
Kermit's shoulders will be heavy, for
all his fathers accounts of his adven-
lures in the jungles of the dark CONT
nent are to be illustrated. 1t is also
understood that the president Is anx-
ious to bring back photographs Of rare
African birds and other animals taken
including the Smithsonian institution
at Washington and the American Mu-
scum of NatulNl History in New
York. The president was anxious to
have Mr.. Chapman accompany him,
says the New York Times, but when
this was found to be impossible it was
decided that Kermit should get a COM
plete camera outfit md be trained in
it's use by Mr.. Chapman.
Mr.. Chapman has long been a friend
of the president AS associate curator
of the department Of ORTHODOXY Of
the Museum Of Natural History he
has made frequent trips into the in.
terror of Florida. photographing rare
and beautiful birds at close range and
in the end making the collection at the
museum n Of the most complete and
valuable in the world.
1t has been unusual indeed for him
to pass through Washington since Mr..
Roosevelt has been president without
stopping over for luncheon or dinner
at the White House. when the presi-
dent and he have discussed birds to
the delight of both.
The president could not have Sc
lected a better man to help him pre-
pare for the Photographic end of the
expedition" said a friend of Mr.. Chap
mar the other day. Gle has made a
long and thorough study of birds with
the camera, and he is not only an ex-
pert in the use of the camera, but
knows ali the tricks Of how to get
close to the birds"
The question now under cOnsidera-
ton by Kermit and Mr.. Chapman is
the best kind Of Photographic outfit to
take. 1t is expected that the camera
alone, with the several lenses, includ-
ing a powerful long range lens, will
cost about $3.50. He will have to
snap birds hopping and flying and wild
animals in motion.
But the mechanical operation Of the
camera and a thorough understanding
Of its mechanism, so that he can repair
1t In the event of its getting out of Or
der far from the haunts Of men, are but
a small part of what Mr.. Chapman will
teach the presidents son. 1t is one
thing to photograph young folks on a
lawn, all anxious to be In the picture,
and another to catch a wary bird in
the heart of the jungle.
Mr.. Chapman's success has been due
to the fact that he has been able to get
very close views Of birds. One Of his
favorite methods is to construct a
blind, cover it ovcr With brush and
then leave it for weeks until the birds
have become thoroughly accustomed to
1t. Then he has slipped into it before
the birds are astir and has often beer
able to get good negatives of rare birds
which hoped about unconcernedly only
a few feet from his lens.
Another ~favorite device is to hang a
piece of burlap over a bush and leave
it there for several weeks while on an
other expedition and then creep under
it and wait. OF course the camera
must be arranged so that in swapping
1t there is no noise. The slightest sus-
picious sound would spoil everything.