The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04
Our Yn1rng geople.
THE PIGE0 Mi YERS OF
M0DENA.
BY CHARLES FREDERICK HOLDER.

Among 1uo points VI lutoi cSp WIS UaO
famous Emilian Way, great street
passing through the heart OF the city, the
work of the Countess Matilda in 1899,
nearly four hundred years before Column
bus discovered America. Here, too, was
the Cathedral of ST. German, with it's
lofty crypt and facade still showing the
ornamental sculpturing OF the workers OF
the twelfth century and bell tower that
rose 315 feet, and contained wooden
bucket captured by the Modenese from
the Bolognese in 1926. All these things
and many more attracted the attention OF
our traveller; but what caused him the
most establishment were the actions OF a
man by whose side he found himself one
day in the tall tower. The object of his
curiosity was tall, dark youth, native
Modenese in picturesque costume that
proclaimed him, at least in dress, a peas
ant.
When first observed he was leaning
far out of the stone window, his face ex-
hibiting n variety Of emotions denoting
excitement and pleasure. In his hand he
bore long staff, upon the end of which
was colored flag, with which he seemed
to be signalling to some one in the dis
lance, and soon our traveller distinguish
ed upon the roofs of varions houses in
the vicinity several figures, all of whom
were evidently engaged in answering the
signals.
For some time the stranger watched
the performance, unable to understand it,
as all the flags seemed to be in motion at
once, but finally they were all withdrawn
with the exception of that held by one
man.
He stationed himself upon an emil
nence on the roof, raised his staff high
above his head, and from about his feet
sprang into the air a vast flock Of birds.
Up they rose, higher and higher into
the heavens, waving and turning, the
morning sun glisteping upon their varied
-colors as they exposed themselves in
different positions to its raye. When
almost out of sight, and like dark spots
against the sky, they turned, and like
a living cloud, meteor Of wings came
rushing down with roaring sound audi
BILE for great distance, anu nearing the
house tops they rose gently, and amid
the fluttering of countless wings again
alighted about the tall figure on the lofty
roof.
Hardly had this been accomplished
when another figure rose, and another
flock darted upward. These were pure
white, and resembled fecks Of silvery
cloud as they swept about forming a
great living circle. Around they went,
encircling an area of several acres, glisten-
ing, cleaning, and finally alighting
again. These manueuvres were repeated
two or three times, the birds always re.
turning in obedience to the waving OF
the flag.
This was followed by four other hocks,
all of different colors, and all going
through manuuuvres unlike the former.
1t was evidently an Introductory salute
for some grander performance which
very shortly commenced. AT certain
signal from the men the different hocks
of pigeons - for such they were rose
high in the air, and passed to and fro
with rapid flight, evidently in obedience
to the movements of the flags. Now an
entire flock would be arrested in its
downward flight, and by sudden motion
rise again, separating into columns oil
halves, flying away in opposite directions
only to join again and alight at theil
owners feet at the proper signal.
"Is it possible" asked the traveller il
italian of the Modenese youth, "that
these birds are moving in the air by sig
nals?"
"Oh, yes" was the reply of the peasant
who had seated himself during cessa
ton Of the exhibition. "Have you neve
heard of the triganieri? 1 am one" h'
continued: sand it is term that ha
been used for many centuries in our cit.
to distinguish the pigeon hiers. The pig
cons are called triganica. They hav
been bred and trained from the earlies
times, and are the most remarkable bird
in the world; so, at least, We think. Il
this city there are fully one hundre'
hocks, composed of several hundred birds
each, trained so perfectly that they ODE
the slightest movement of the flag, just a
the soldier understands the signal in bat
tie. We also use the whistle for certan
calls in this way and placing his tw
forefngers in his cheeks, he produced
whistle that Immediately caused flute
of excitement among flock of birds on
neighboring roof. SIN the olden times,
continued the pigeon trainer, sin tn
fourteenth century, our ancestors use
the cornet. The sport as carried on to
day is almost exactly the same as ther
and is merely a pleasure to the owner
= just as you train dogs in your country
If you will come with me" he added, 6
will show you how implicit is their ODE
.dience."
The Modenese passed down the stair
and soon led the traveller upon the neigh
boring root.
"They are perfectly tame, you see, sal
the owner. picking up bird and tossin
it into the air while the Others crowde
about him, some alighting on his head an
shoulders as they did at the recall, "an
that is the frat essential of success. Tn