172 H. D. Astley—The Neiv Collection at Chateau de Cleres



by 65 feet. One very large one for Waxbills, etc., in which will be

flowering shrubs, is 20 metres by 8 metres. Three large divisions in

the front. Another of 6 metres by 3 metres and eight smaller ones—

3 metres by 2 metres and 3 metres by 4 metres. Of course a metre is

3 ft. 6 in.


Monsieur Delacour has commenced his collection of Water-fowl.

A pair of Tufted Duck which he bought in May at once nested and

reared a large brood, which in August were able to fly, and charming

they looked circling round and disappearing beyond the woods, to

return again swishing down on to their sheltered waters in the park.

Some Chiloe Widgeon and Pochard were there too, besides Geese

(Cereopsis, Ross’ Snow Geese, Canadian, Bar-headed, and Magellanic).

Monsieur Delacour had the misfortune to lose a pair of the very rare

Ashy-headed Geese, and also one of his two Trumpeter Swans. One

Ashy-headed Goose died of gapes, a very uncommon event in a Goose

at liberty in a park, and its mate apparently succumbed from grief

a few days after, as the post mortem examination showed no disease

of any kind. Six Spicifer Peafowl and three white ones, as well as

two eared Pheasants (Ho-ki), wander here and there, and then there

are the Cranes, four Indian Sams, a pair of White-necked, a European,

and a Stanley. Three fine white Rheas are very conspicuous, and

occasionally one catches a glimpse of a Monaul, of which species there

are three or four, pinioned and at large. I also came across a Siamese

Fireback Pheasant. Pheasantries are being constructed on the steep

slope above the little lake, and most picturesque roosting houses in

plaster and half timbers with steep thatched roofs; so that the

Pheasants’ settlement resembles a human village in miniature, with its

charming little cottages, where gradually a collection of Tragopans

and other rarer species will be gathered together.


Monsieur Delacour hopes to turn out certain Parrakeets and Peach¬

faced Love-birds at liberty, putting up nesting-boxes for them all

about the park.


Mammals do not come within the province of aviculture, but

I might mention that there is a small herd of Indian Black Buck

Antelopes, three small Chinese Deer, some Patagonian Cavies, and

three of those extraordinary rodents, the Capybara, which is the size



