After acquiring much useful information on poultry farming, I am taken to the rear of the premises, where breeding operations are mostly carried on. Incubators, I am told, are not in use or desired at Windsor. Every convenience is, of course, provided for the sitting hens, but with seemingly a natural perverseness they occasionally prefer the oddest of nests chosen by themselves to the most comfortable ones provided for them. Here, for instance, in a dark corner is a stout foster-mother of a hen bringing up a handsome family of ducklings in a bushel basket. It was noticed that her own eggs were invariably laid in this receptacle, and so when breeding time came the basket was duly filled up for her accommodation. [Illustration: HAMMOND AND HIS BANTAM “TOBY.”] All chickens for the first three weeks of their lives have the run of the pretty old-fashioned garden attached to Hammond’s cottage; but as soon as that age is attained, over-indulgence in horticultural pursuits compels their removal. In addition to chickens some fifty to sixty Aylesbury ducks are annually reared and fattened for Castle use. Some of these are now wandering about with happy and contented looks, little recking of the use of those succulent peas shooting up so tall and straight in their keeper’s garden. Here, too, in the yard are a few portly Rouen ducks, the female of which breed some time since distinguished herself by laying an egg five ounces in weight; but, remarks Hammond when relating the incident, “she does not often do it.” In the four pigeon lofts which surmount the roof of the aviary there live at present some forty pigeons mainly of the “Foreign Owl” and “Jacobin” breeds. The youngsters bred and not required for stock purposes go the way of all pigeons—that which leads to pies. At the aviary are also kept some beautiful white doves purchased abroad by H.R.H. Princess Beatrice. Next I am shown some representatives of the turkey race. These are of a very handsome race known as the Cinnamon turkey. Their native home in Britain is as far north as Caithness; but it is believed the breed was originally brought from the United States or Canada. The male bird (some three years of age) is of most imposing presence. His colour is a rich chestnut brown, with a black edge to each feather and white wing flights. As he marches to and fro with slow and stately step over a measured track, his prismatic-hued head and neck, combined with his brown and white uniform, irresistibly remind one of the chief hall porter at some stately hotel or theatre. He is pleased to express his approval of the appearance of my coadjutor with the camera by giving vent to a series of gobbles which sound like the prelude to a solo on the big drum. He then proceeds to disperse the small crowd of humble feathered admirers who have gathered around him, and poses himself for the coming picture.