Account of the Internat ional Ornithological Congress



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AN UNSCIENTIFIC ACCOUNT OF THE

IX™ INTERNATIONAL ORNITHOLOGICAL

CONGRESS


I greatly hoped that a more scientific and experienced pen would

have been employed on this task, but this hope having proved vain,

I must do the best I can and ask my readers to be indulgent.


We met in Rouen on the 8th May and were instructed to betake

ourselves to the Secretariat to be registered members of the Congress

and receive our badges—very pretty little medallions adorned with

a pink Flamingo.


On the 9th the Congress was formally opened at the Hotel de Ville

and in the evening there was a reception at the same place.


On the 10th we were shown some most interesting films, one of

which by Professor A. Allen, of the Cornell University American

Museum of Natural History, not only showed us pictures and move¬

ments of rare and disappearing American birds but gave their voices

and calls.


In the afternoon we were assembled in order to have our photo¬

graphs taken, and later were invited to the Celebration of the Centenary

of the Jardin des Plantes followed by a garden party at the Orangery.

This was extremely interesting as we were shown the hot houses as

well as the garden where were many rare plants. The garden is very

well kept, and boasts some fine trees ; I was particularly struck with

a magnificent row of horse-chestnut trees, the highest I have ever seen,

and covered with bloom. Serins were seen and heard among the trees.

At night the Cathedral, St. Ouen Church, and the Palais de Justice

were flood-lighted, the effect was magical in its beauty.


The 11th will always be remembered as the day of the garden party

at Cleres. Madame and Monsieur Delacour most hospitably invited us

all to see the wonderful collection of birds in their beautiful grounds,

and gave us a bountiful tea. To see so many birds at liberty, Ducks,

Cranes, Flamingos, and Scarlet Ibises in full colour, feeding and

disporting themselves, gave me and, I do not doubt, all of us, the most

exquisite pleasure. The collection of tropical birds in the hot houses,



