The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1909-04-03

The most important item In the out.
tographing OF living animals is. after
the lens. some device for concealing
the camera. or operator, or both.
am almost inclined to rank 1t before
the lens In Importance. inasmuch as 1t
Is obviously useless TO possess the
most perfect lens that was ever made
II there is no opportunity to bring 1t
within working distance OF the de
sired quarry
this dificult but fascinating branch
Of work depends entirely upon perfect
concealment. For II that Is once at.
tanned the most timid bird. II 1t sees
nothing TO alarm 1t. will have no hest.
tati0n In approaching Its nest. and can
then be photographed without further
loss OF time. Many special devices
have been used BY different workers,
and very ingenious. not to say sensa'
most. II not all Of them. have lacked
the essential qualities Of ligh,ness
and portability.
II whole season were to Ike spent
on one farm. or In one district OF not
too great an extent. artificial tree
trunks and the hollow skins OF domes.
tic animals would no doubt prove Of
excellent service for the xhyest and
most timid creatures: but for the tray.
cling naturalist their weight and lack
Of portability you'd be fatal disqualih'
cations.
When | first started this work IN
1893. 10 years ago. my first idea WAS
to use a large bag made Of thin. green
fabric. big enough to cover the camera
aid tripod. while I crouched under.
Meath: and I still md n somewhat
similar continuance the best thing to
use for all.round work. My present
bag IL OF greenish khaki. which is suit
able for use among bushes and hedges
and also for mud.fats and open spaces.
or among rocks and stones. II Is
shaped some what ike 4 tent. l. G.. Il
'nperx towards the top and spreads
odt At the bottom Just enough to In.
clude the legs Of the tripod when well
strsddied out. There In hole for the
lens and also peephole. several. In
fact. for after . little use among
thorns and briary you can generally
mud \ peephoic In any direction.
II Is we'll provided with tapes. BY
means OF which branches. lunches Of
grass. leaves or brscken can b. ias.
tened 10 the outside rs = further dis.
guise. II can thus be- quickly adapted
10 suit almost any Kind Of surround.
ings while II weighs next 10 nothing.
and can bc packed up like = focusing.
cloth and takes up little more room.
by using inside this tent . sketchiug.
stool. which can b easily carried with
the camera case. and just brings the
eye level With the horizontal focusing
eyepiecs. or focusing glass. some de-
gree Of comfort may be obtained. A.
any rate. Il II far less firing than
squatting on the grousd. o. kneelinG,
when less walt Of four OF ave bours
or more may b nscessary.
Hidden In this and that birds Of
The most timid disposition approach
their Hsst much morn quickly thaa
when I merely uss . rough screen q
branches or other impromptu hiding
costrivances. For Instance. last sprinS
] paid Q short visit 10 Holland. where
! ave this tent . good trial. Il IVES
most satisfactory 70 80 how quickly
avocets settled themselves on their
nests aad approached ~ hidins place
wttheat appsaring % notice anything
vssy seranee. II this ease vas wort
= q