COMEDY AT WINDSOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23033, 10 May 1938, Page 8

COMEDY AT WINDSOR

[CHANGING OF THE GUARD PIGEON PLAYS ITS PART [from a special correspondent] LONDON, April 16 The changing of the Guard at Windsor Castle this week was turned into a comedy by a pigeon. The bird flew into the sacrosanct Grand Quadrangle of the castle and created havoc with King's regulations. Guests of the King and Queen were watching the ceremony from the windows of the Royal apartments. The pigeon circled round the battlements, swooped low over the band, and came to a graceful landing—on a guardsman s bearskin. The guardsman paled, but not a head was turned nor an eve upraised. - J The pigeon shifted a little and pecked into the mysteries of the bearskin. It was then that the watching crowd, gathered about the gates, laughed. And that was more than the company sergeant-major could stand. He waved his short military stick threateningly at the pigeon—only to drive the wily bird to another bearskin. » Ihe sergeant-major muttered something and waved the stick again. The bird cocked its head and flew awa.v. But in a moment, to the delight of the watchers, it settled on the grey rolled cape of one of the bandsmen. The crowd roared. The sergeant-major broke into a double, and with c. deft movement dislodged the "gate-crasher." The pigeon, with a mocking flutter, then made for the drummer-boy's bear--5 i hovered for a moment; and, to the unutterable relief of the parade, decided to return to the battlements.