VILLAS NEAR SIENA 
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thickets, which are very much in fashion about here, and are formed in this way and for this 
purpose. Upon an elevated piece of ground they plant a diameter of about fifty paces with all sorts 
of evergreens, intersected with very narrow covered paths, and surrounded with a small ditch. 
In the middle of this thicket is an open space, where the huntsman, towards the end of 
November, places himself, provided with a silver whistle and some tame thrushes, tamed for 
the purpose, and, by means of these and bird-lime, disposed about in the different little lanes 
or runs, they sometimes catch two hundred thrushes in a single morning.’ 
About a mile outside Siena is the Villa Sergardi, with another and rather larger garden 
theatre. It is placed at the termination to a courtyard abutting on to the casino, and is raised 
about three feet above the ground level. The wings are much higher and more substantial than at 
the Villa Gori, and the stage, instead of being flat, slopes upwards towards the background. 
Some three or four miles from Siena lies the fortress villa of Belcaro, magnificently situated 
upon an ilex-covered hill, with wide panoramic views in every direction. Entering through an 
irregular court, we pass to the oblong court in front of the casino, whence a gate admits to the 
little orange garden and family chapel. The whole is surrounded by a high wall, and has quite 
the appearance of a mediaeval castle. 
