The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-11-05
CARRIER PIEEONS.
THEIR BEAUTY, INTELLIGENCE AND
WONDERFUL QUALITIES
STHATED BY SWIFT AND
PROTBACTED FLIGHTS.

ILLUsTBATED BY SWIFT AND
PROTEACTED FLIGHTS
Mr. Van Opstal. of this city. IS credi-
ted with possessing q breed OF well-u9in-
ed carrier pigeons, and he is regarded as
an authority on such He saws that the
most valuable birds at present in use are
called the Antwerp. carriers, which spe-
cies are cross between the owl, or Eng
lish pigeon md the Belgian cumu!ct Tor
highfiavtT. The rumulet is pUsst S-s i of
great ''homcing' qualities. aud bvsides
ranks high in Intelligence, While the
English carrier is remarkable for its
staying qualities or power of endurance.
Therefore. when these desirable qIali-
ties-eudurauce ana sptc3-With the
''homeiHg'' characteristics are conibiu-
ed in one bird, the Antwerp carrier is
found In the greatest perfection.
Their training commences when tie
birds are about three months old. The
initiatOry step consists in taking them
about a mile from the PARENTS coop and
letting them loose. TIE distance is
doubled the next time, and so on pro-
gressiyely. The carrier is larger than
the common pigeon and measures about
fifteen inches in length and weighs from
one and fourth to one and half
pounds. The neck is long and the pee
tOral muscles are large. An appendage
Of naked skin hangs across the bill and
continues down the side OF the lower
mandible. These pigeons are consider
ed the best that have the appendage ris-
ing high on the head, and of consider
able width across the bill, and that are
also distinguished by a wide naked cir
clet around the eyes. In England it is
usual TO keep the birds in a darkened
cellar, where they are SpaTingly fed, for
hours OIL
message is usually fastened round the
upper part of the birds leg, but care
must be taken that it is not tied so as to
impede the birds flight
For centuries the carrier pigeon serv-
ed a purpose which is row served by
the electric telegraph. and their useful
ness has not yet entirely departed. 1t
is known that these birds had been utili-
Zed TO carry messages by the AsiaticS
and Romans, and during the crusade of
81. Louis they were so employed Ac-
cording to Tasso carrier pigeons were
used in the seige Of Jerusalem and
ATiSO.a makes the CASTELAR, di Damiata
spread the news of OTTillO's death by a
messenger dove. 1t is well known that
during the siege of Paris these birds
were employed to carry messages beyond
the German lines. Long documents
printed by miCrO-phOtOgraphy on films
indestruCtiJle 10y water, and weighing
only few grains, were thus traumitted
with great success. Their conspicuous
utility during this memorable siege has
not been lost sight of by the French gov
ernment and other European powers.
in the JardIu d'AcclimatiOn, Paris,
there are kept some five thousand car
TieS pigeons which are trained to pen
citrate into the furtuest receSses of the
republic. The different forts and cities
are also stocked with these birds. Prus-
sia also and other Continental powers
cultivate these aerial messengers. that
they may be utilized in case of war when
telegraphic and other modes Of COM
muuicatICn are destroyed. 1t is said
that the founder of the great banking
house of the BOyhschilds made the bulk
of his colossal fortune through the in
strumeutality of these lieet-winged mes
sengers. To him carrier pigeons brought
the result of the struggle between the
cOutending hosts on the plains of Water
loo. Thus he received The earliest in
formation of the AngiO-Prus5Idn victory
and was thereby enabled TO take advan-
tage of the coming change III the money
market.
These aerial coUIiers aIe brought TO
the greatest perfection in Europe. In
1873 a sort Of inteTnatioHap carrier con-
test took place in Belgium. \ flock of
pigeons were let loose IN Rome. and the
distance thence to Brussels (T2j miles,
direct was made in little less than sew
en- days. In 1879 birds were let loose
from Madrid, and they trayersed the in
teryeHing space to their respective cUOps
in various towns in Belgian computed
at about 80 miles in one week. Dur
ing the present year other carriers flew
from SaE Sebastian to Belgian towns
I'm u half
This is considered the swiftest time on
record for That number of miles. From
LamOthe. France, pigeonsmade ,heir
way to Antwerp iu twelve hours
In 1873 six birds, the property Of
Mpssrs Van, Opstal, Of this city, and
DOuner, of Brooklyn. were let fy from
Columbus. Ohio, and all returned home
some in good time. and others at inter
walls. Two Of Mr.. Van Opstal's and one
of Mr.. DOnneT's turned up at the home
coop ON the second day two others on
the tenth day, and one was three weeks
absent. The last bird came home wound
ded. it having been shot in the body.
Carrier pigeons that are remarkable for
their speed and endurance command as
high a price as 500 The owner of one
bird Of this character refused l000f
tS2nOl for one Of his pets. Mr.. Van On
Stdl owned a bird Jupiter which died
two years ago. and which he would not
have parted with at any price He re-
garded the bird rs the champion long
distance flyer of America Jupiter gen
orally carried away the first prize in all
the contests of his day. lie won Il gold
and silver medal from the Philadelphia
fanciers and was equally successful in
other contests. During journey from
Pittsburg TO this city Jupiter was wreck
ed in "a storm, but fought bTayeIv to
save the gate money When the bird.
which had started on its memorable
Journey with thirty other competitors
arrived home it was plain to be seen that
he wds sick. lie never rallied. and all
that was mortal of the once great flyer
Is now stuffed and in the possession Of
Mr.. Van Opstal-Ncw York Herald
THE QUEER FISHEG5IAN.-Thco otter
Il admirably lflIIltpI tg T. - gruaf 10. Ian Ia