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N. Wharton-Tigar—The President's Garden Party



THE PRESIDENT’S GARDEN PARTY


By N. Wharton-Tigar


Once more this most enjoyable day has come and gone. The weather

this year decided to be tiresome. Why will people pray for rain, when

we want to enjoy the sunshine ? However, as the happy party proceeded

onwards from Hyde Park Corner to Foxwarren Park, the clouds

began to lift, and the rain finally stopped ; and by the time we reached

our destination the sun was shining.


After being cordially greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Ezra and family,

we proceeded to inspect the aviaries, headed as usual by our host.


It was a cool day, and I think we all very much enjoyed the long

ramble through the beautiful grounds seeing all the treasures of

Mr. Ezra’s unique collection. These are, as most of you know, under

the very able care of Shearing, who has very kindly supplied me with

some of the names of the varieties kept—not by any means all, as there

are I believe over a thousand birds !


In the big flights so ideally planted with shrubs and containing

large pools there are many Waders, etc., Stilts, Avocets, Water Thick-

knees, Yellow, Yellow-wattled, White-fronted, Banded, Black-winged,

Gaysons, Crowned and Blacksmith’s Plovers, the last-named with

two engaging little youngsters, the second year these have been bred.


Reeves and Ruffs, a never failing attraction to visitors with their

amusing display, Curlews, Godwits, Oyster-catchers, Sun Bitterns.

There is a wonderful collection of Pigeons and Doves, including

Victoria, and Common Crowned, Crested, Bronzewdngs in several

varieties, Papuan, Golden Heart, Bleeding Heart, and hybrids ; Snow,

Pheasant-tailed, Triangular Spotted, Wonga-Wonga, White and Lilac

Crowned, and several species of exquisite Fruit Pigeons. Doves include

Tambourines, Emerald and Sapphire Spotted, Dwarf Turtle, Bar¬

tailed, Necklace, Jobi Island, White-fronted, Zebra, Imperial, Fruit,

and Galapagos. Of Jays and Pies there are Eastern Blue, Stellas,

Japanese, Loochoo, Formosan Blue, Yellow-billed, Blue Lanceolated;

these with Lort’s and Broad-billed Rollers all in finest condition look



