J. Delacour—American Aviculture



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mostly interested in the different Ground Doves, he now specializes

and collects only species in which the sexes are different.


Between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one must see Mr. R.

Hearst’s hacienda at San Simeon. It is the most astonishing place on

earth. It includes several hundreds of thousands of acres of beautiful

country: mountains and valleys, with the ocean shore to the west,

all practically wild and extremely picturesque. Unfortunately, this

fine scenery is somewhat spoiled by the huge house, an unfinished

structure which is supposed to represent a Spanish castle, but rather

reminds one of a glorified Monte-Carlo casino ! It is surrounded by

elaborate gardens, full of marble balustrades, steps, pavements,

statues, temples, etc., where some beautiful things stand among less

happy efforts. There are marvellous works of art inside the castle,

and three smaller guest houses. There, to come back to our subject,

one sees in huge enclosures all sorts of wild Cattle, Deer, Zebras and

Antelope, Ostriches, Rheas, Emus, and Cassowaries at liberty, and that

is well worth the visit. There is also a regular, if not very attractive,

menagerie with Tigers, Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, Monkeys, etc.


At a large poultry and game farm are a few fancy Pheasants,

Ducks, and Parrots ; but nothing of special interest. I hear that the

famous Mr. Hearst has spent millions on his ranch, and I well believe it;

what could not have been achieved by such means on such a

wonderful site !


With the exception of one week in San Francisco, when I returned

in mid-December, I was in Southern California from 26th November

till 12th January. During my visit the weather was mostly warm and

sunny, but there were cold nights, rainy, chilly days, and, for a few

days, hard frosts (18° at Pasadena). Of course, the climate changes

very much locally, some spots being always above freezing. On the

whole, the climate is very similar to that of the Riviera, hot and dry

during the summer, mild in the winter, which is the rainy season, with

occasional cold spells. As it is, it suits birds in general admirably,

particularly Australian and other Finches, Australian Parrakeets,

African Lovebirds, Conures, Cockatoos and other Parrots, Pigeons,

and Doves ; they all live well and breed freely in outdoor aviaries

with open shelters. I have no doubt that other exotic birds would do



