on the Rev. D. Hemsworth's collection.



IOI



After visiting the aviaries at Fryston you will feel like

Stainer in the “ Lost Chord,” weary and ill at ease—weary

because you have walked hundreds of miles, and ill at ease

because you have seen so many birds you covet but have not.


First of all, a word about Mr. Hemsworth himself. He is

a well preserved man of middle height and robust form, who can

still run a race with the swift and come off conqueror. He is of

course wealthy, and enthusiastic on all his creatures, and never

tired of showing his treasures to others. His motto concerning

his marvellous collection ought to be, if it is not, “Non sibi, sed

gregi ” : not for himself, but for the public. Unless you have

been to Monk Fryston and seen for yourself, you will feel like

the Queen of Sheba—the half has not been told you.


To see Fryston properly you want a long summer day.

On entering the grounds you are beset by dangers. A Sikka

stag disputes your way, with horns as sharp as needles, and if

you have not a good thick stick, he will think nothing of laying

you low, even with the ground : he did so with the vicar’s

daughter not so long ago. Having passed this first danger, y 7 ou

encounter a second—a fierce and bellowing Rhea will next

dispute your path, and unless you beat him right sore, he will

break your leg with a blow of his foot. If you succeed in

escaping these perils, there are the Llamas to pass, who spit at

you with supreme contempt, but otherwise let you alone. You

now realise St. Paul’s statement, “ in perils oft.” Mr. Hemsworth

assures you that all the brutes are absolutely 7 harmless ; but I

always notice that he gets behind me, and advises a good thick

stick for the passage! !


Arrived at the aviaries, y T ou see such a wealth of birds

that you hardly 7 know where to begin. The first building is

some thirty 7 feet long and nine feet wide, divided into four

compartments.


In the first are Yellow Budgerigars, a pair of Melodious

Finches, a pair of Brazilian Sparrows, and a Garrulous Honey 7 -

eater from Australia—these, except the Budgerigars, are all

exceedingly 7 rare birds.


In the next division are a magnificent pair of Brown’s



