Bird Images Large Enough to Show Identification Markings are Obtained with This Camera
A reasonably large image must be obtained in photographing bird life, or the details of plumage and identification are lost, reducing the value of the pictures. The “gun camera” shown in the photograph was devised for this purpose, and with it exposures may be made more quickly than with the telephoto type of camera, a feature of great value in this class of photography. The device consists of an ordinary reflecting-type camera, mounted on a carriage for ready portability and quick adjustment. The bellows is supplemented with a tube, permitting the use of lenses of upward of 30-in. extreme focus. This gives a larger image without loss in speed. A ¹⁄₄-in. image of a bird was obtained with a 7¹⁄₂-in. extreme-focus lens, as against a 2-in. image with one of 30-in. focus, from the same position. The lens is set near the rear end of the tube, giving a deep hood for shading the sunlight. Lenses of an old type, known as “Long Toms,” were used. They are inexpensive compared with newer types with iris diaphragms, and give good results even at ¹⁄₁,₀₀₀ exposures.—Arthur Farland, New Orleans, La.
Electric Fan an Aid to Heating Room
The electric fan is useful not only for cooling the air in summer, but also for distributing the warm air to advantage in the winter. An efficient way of warming a room fairly uniformly is to place an electric fan near a radiator, so that its breeze passes through the heating coils, or near another source of heat. The heat is circulated around the room, instead of being kept in a limited area.—Peter J. M. Clute, Schenectady, N. Y.
Cat-and-Bells Scarecrow
A scarecrow resembling a living animal is often more effective than other devices, and the cat-and-bells arrangement shown in the sketch was found especially so. The hide of a cat was stretched over a hollow frame and suspended by a cord from a large weather vane. Several bells were attached to the cord, and when the vane shifts in the wind, the movement of the hide and the rattling of the bells combine to frighten the birds.—F. H. Sweet, Waynesboro, Va.
¶A coating of five parts of coal tar, one part gasoline, and one part japan drier will make canvas nearly water-tight.