Although originally designed for the reception of rare and curious birds presented to the Queen, the aviary has for many years past been mainly used as a miniature poultry farm. Now and again may arrive some showy feathered biped from foreign lands to lead a quiet happy life, well tended and cared for; but in the main ducks and chickens, turkeys and pigeons form the bulk of the population. It is a charming, peaceful little scene to gaze upon, this fine summer morning, the fountain and pond with its fat white ducks in the foreground, behind the well-kept terrace with its summer-house at one end, with rustic seat so often occupied by the Royal couple in days gone by, and a background formed by the neat range of brick buildings and spreading trees. Let us go and interview its keeper. This is a fine stalwart specimen of a retired policeman. Thirty years does Hammond tell us he served in Her Majesty’s household police, and now, in the Indian summer of his days, he quietly lays down the law to turkeys, and takes the smallest of chicks and the most amiable of pigeons into custody. Before the advent of Hammond, the aviary, which was for forty years under feminine supervision, had somewhat declined in usefulness; but, as its new guardian is a practical man as well as a poultry-fancier, the whole of his little domain looks well kept and prosperous. [Illustration: SILVER-SPANGLED HAMBURGHS.] The eighteen pens with brick roost-houses behind, which form the front of the aviary, are mostly occupied by very fine specimens of domestic poultry, the breed of its occupants being indicated by an enamelled iron label affixed to the front of each pen, every breed being kept absolutely separate. The breeds of poultry kept are too many to describe here; suffice it to say that Hammond thinks his best birds are white Leghorns and black Minorcas. For laying purposes, he prefers a cross between Leghorn and Plymouth Rock; for winter laying, Plymouth Rocks; and for the table, white Dorkings to his mind bear the palm. The aviary does not supply all the poultry required for the Castle, the first idea being to keep all its pens well stocked with good handsome birds, and to send the surplus to the Castle kitchens. The eggs, ranging between forty and fifty daily, are sent to Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and Osborne House only, the Queen’s other residences procuring their supplies elsewhere. About one hundred birds are required each year for stocking the pens, the remainder bred going, as I before remarked, for table purposes. Here I may mention that the only fowls served at Her Majesty’s own table are white Dorkings. [Illustration: “FIELD-MARSHAL,” THE TURKEY.]