The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1010, May 6, 1899Various
General
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1010, May 6, 1899
Various
Children's literature -- Periodicals
Many years since (in fact, over thirty) signs of the presence of a
great depredator were noticed in the more secluded parts of the forest:
one day the remains of some luckless rabbits, another a dead or dying
lamb. Traps were set, and a strict watch kept for the poacher. Within
a very short period was caught a splendid male specimen of the golden
eagle. He was promptly housed in a large wooden enclosure near the head
keeper’s house, where he has lived and flourished for more than thirty
years; his eye as bright, his talons as strong, his spirit as fierce as
when he roamed at will the emperor of the air.
[Illustration: A GOLDEN PHEASANT.]
Some four or five years since a comrade was also caught and placed in
a similar enclosure beside him, so that, day after day, when sociably
inclined, they can exchange harsh-noted confidences. They have so far
got used to the presence of their captors as to allow of a man entering
their enclosures to sweep them out; but the boldest keeper in the
Queen’s employ will not yet venture to touch such fearful wild fowl.
Not very far from the eagles’ domain, one may perchance see a flock of
Canadian wild turkeys. These birds (almost as large as our toothsome
Christmas friends) are more wild in name than in nature, for instead
of haunting trees and coverts to be shot in the manner of pheasants at
the proper season, they at present insist on being domesticated and
partaking of the head keeper’s hospitality when the members of his
household feed the numerous song-birds which gather around the house
for their daily meals.
But we must leave the keeper’s house with its fascinating surroundings
and make for our proper destination, which is the aviary at Frogmore.
Over the verdant turf and under the wide-spreading trees, mainly
following the private road traversed every day by Her Majesty when
residing at Windsor, past the kennels with their noisy occupants, past
the lovely fruit and flower gardens, just outside of Frogmore House,
and beside the beautiful dairy, stands the object of our walk.
[Illustration: SILVER-PENCILLED HAMBURGH.]
Below the level of the road in a gently-sloping grass-grown dell
is built the aviary. Originally the site was occupied but by some
dilapidated outbuildings. The present construction is entirely due to
the designs of the never-forgotten Prince Consort. He it was who saw
the capabilities of the site, and with his usual forethought added art
to utility.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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