on the collection of birds oivned by Monsieur Jean Delacour. 35


The property, situated on the hills of Santerre, dominates the

valley of the Somme; in spite of its distance from the Channel, a

matter of more than sixty kilometres, the influence of the sea makes

itself distinctly felt, especially by the dominating west winds.

Violent winds are frequent, and also fine and cold rain ; the bad

weather is more prolonged than in the neighbourhood of Paris, and

the temperature is often three or four degrees lower.


The soil is a very fertile clay, with a subsoil of limestone.

It was in 1907 that M. Delacour, who was then quite youthful, con¬

structed his first aviaries.


They comprised : (1) Three flights of 32 square metres by 36

(a metre = about 1 yd. 3 in.), traversed by running water, and

planted with shrubs and having roqsting-houses. These contain

exotic passerine birds.


(2) Five flights of 15 square metres, four containing galli¬

naceous birds, the fifth having fine wire meshing and a very warmed

shelter; this is tenanted by Waxbills and other small passerine

birds. These five flights contain 150 birds, comprising thirty-one

species.


In 1911 the enclosures were added to. Eleven in number,

they have an area of 2500 square metres; most of them enclose a

sheltering house, and are . traversed by running water. All have

wire meshing of over 6 ft. in height, and the enclosures are planted

with shrubs, etc.


They contain gallinaceous birds, waders, etc.—thirty-eight

species in all.


There are other enclosures for Ostriches, Rheas, and Casso¬

waries. The piece of water, which stretches in front of the chateau,

was enlarged during the winter of 1912-13.


At that time M. Delacour was on military service, but this

did not prevent him from actively directing the works which were

being carried out.


The piece of water is about 50 metres in diameter, with two

islands, and is prolonged by a stream which is 70 metres in length

and 4 in breadth.


The pheasantry, which was commenced in the spring of 1913,

was finished in the following winter, and encloses 43 flights from


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