The Honesdale citizen. [volume] (Honesdale, Pa.) 1873-1908, 1908-08-27
KERM|T'S new WORK
Presidents Son TO Be His Photog-
rapher on African Trip.
WILL SNAPSHOT WILD LIFE.

Young Roosevelt Being Taught by =.
M. Chapman, Well Known ornitholo-
b, oSsF, 20 Use Q Camera In the Field.
Methods Of Swapping Birds.
Kermit Roosevelt Is to be 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 conti-
nent arc to be illustrated. II is also
understood that the president Is anx'
ious to bring bnck photographs of rare
African birds and other animals taken
in life for several Of the big museums
including the Smithsonian Institution
at washington and the American NM
scum OF Natural 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 I've impossible It was
decided that Kermit should get COM
plete camera outfit and be trained In
its use by Mr.. Chapman.
Mr. Chapman has long been n friend
Of the president As associate curator
Of the department OF ornithology OF
the Museum Of Natural History he
has made frequent trips into the In
terior OF Florida, photographing rare
and beautiful birds at close range and
In the end making the collection at the
museum one Of the most complete anu
valuable in the world.
II 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 presl-
dent and he have discussed birds to
the delight OF both.
"The president could not have Sc
lected n better man TO help him pre-
pare for the Photographic end Of the
expedition" said n friend Of Mr.. Chap
man the other day. ale has made
long and thorough study of birds with
the camera, and he Is not only an OK
pert in the use of the camera, but
knows all the tricks Of how to get
close to the birds"
Tho question now under consldera-
ton by Kermit and Mr.. Chapman Is
tho best kind Of Photographic outfit TO
take. II is expected that the camera
.,-t1t ~, l.nona fnNlud-
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 thorough understanding
OF Its mechanism. so that he can repair
It In the event Of its getting out Of or
der fur from the haunts Of men, are but
q 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 Ia to construct q
blind, cover It over with brush and
then leave 1t for weeks until the birds
have become thoroughly accustomed to
It. Then he has slipped into 1t before
the birds are astir and has often been
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 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
It there Is no noise. The slightest sus'
piclous sound would spoil everything.