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
The walls are papered with a light chintz pattern, and the furniture
is framed in light oak and upholstered with a flower pattern cretonne.
The principal ornament of the room is a large case of stuffed birds
shot by the late Prince Consort. The case is about six feet in height,
and has a rustic oak framework. Its occupants are grouse, black cock,
and capercailzie. Carved on the frame of the case is “Taymouth, Sep.
8th and 9th, 1842.” All around the walls of the room are other cases of
old favourites which in days gone by adorned the pens of the aviary.
There is a splendid pied peacock, Amherst pheasants, Indian pigeons,
a bantam formerly belonging to the Prince of Wales, and many others.
One should also notice the head and claws of a gigantic emu, who in
his lifetime was the proud representative of Australia at Windsor.
In the corridor leading from the Queen’s room to the garden stands a
group of kangaroo rats, a big bustard, a Muscovy duck, and a splendid
peacock, once the property of the Earl of Beaconsfield. This last bird
was removed to the aviary from Hughenden shortly after the late Earl’s
death.
[Illustration: “THE FOSTER-MOTHER.”]
Until the last few years, the aviary was a favourite place for the
Royal Family to partake of afternoon tea, and here in the Queen’s room
is still kept the neat dark blue-and-white Dresden china service which
was in ordinary use by Her Majesty. The Queen still drives round the
aviary in her daily visit to Frogmore, but rarely alights from her
carriage.
Of Royal and distinguished visitors there are many, but not any so
regular or so welcome as the children of H.R.H. Princess Beatrice, who
seldom allow a day to pass, when staying at Windsor, without “coming
to feed the birds”; and right well do those same birds know and welcome
the youthful visitors. From the big turkey to the tiny doves, all
are on the alert when the sound of carriage wheels is heard, and a
universal chorus of approval bursts from the feathered throats as the
Royal party distribute their largesse.
The family of the Duke of Connaught also have a special interest in the
aviary in the shape of some dozen or so of long-haired white Canadian
guinea-pigs (a present from their aunt, the Princess Louise), which
live and flourish under Hammond’s fostering care.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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