Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-25

buntsman's gun or trap, and arrive safe, he
records on printed blank the number and
private mark which was placed on the wing
by the secretary. After filling mp that pOr-
ton Of 1t he fills in the time of the birds
arrival. That blank lie retaiuS. In case
no Waterman is appointed ut the destina-
ton, as often happens, telegram is sent
to the person who started the birds, an
nouncing their arrival and also registered
number, counter marks and private signs.
As another preventive against false claims
the telegraph operator is required to dis
patch to the starting-place the time that
the message was given to him. This is
called certified telegram"
''On lOng-distanee races, how long do
birds ty without stOpping?"
Until they are completely exhausted
aud have TO fall to the ground. They can
continue the fight necessarily for two
DAYS, nut after that time their endeayors
are useless. When bird stops from sheer
exhaustion it takes him sometimes as long
as week to fully recover, and he will not
proceed until he has entirely regaiued his
lost strength. Herein lies the danger, for
while bird lies in this state of collapse
he becomes the prey OF the hawk, hound or
huntsman. An instance, in fact came TO
my notice few months ago. A man on
Long Island was out walking with his re-
triever when the latter rushed forward
while crossing an open field and picked up
"a pigeon. The poor thing was
halt dead from exhaustion and the
man took it from the mouth of the
dog. He examined it closely and found
the name ARNOLD" on its wing. 1t be-
lOnged to the great fancier of that name in
this city, and the man communicated with
him. The reply came by wire and asked
him to keep the bird until it got strong
and then let her 90. He did so. and the
homer arrived ON the loft the same day he
was released. Now, had this been hunts
man of the regular frame of mind, the
pigeons fate would have been sealed in
short order
What is the best long distance record
at present.
"One thousand and fifty miles. 1t was
flown last year by Alabama and Mont
gomery, who were then the property of
Samuel Hunt, of Fall River, Mass. They
flew from Montgomery, where they had
been sent by rail, to Fall River This was
to test the hOming instinct, and it was a
grand success. Alabama is now dead, but
Montgomery is in the loft of J. K. HusSOn,
on West SiXtieth street The next best
distance was also made last year by Arm
OuX, belonging to A. p. Baldwin, of New
ark. \. j., who has some OF the finest
birds in the country. The route was from
Pensacola, Fla, to Newark, distance on
the air line of l,OlO miles. Philadelphia
has three birds which travelled 935 miles
last year. Red Whizzer is the champion
Of the trio. When this feat was performed
il broke the record of the world for dis.
lance, and gold band of honor was put
on one of Red Whizzer's legs. This year
the long distance has not been beaten. \
bird belonging to Chars. Mink, Jr., made
the best showing, but only accomplished
S15 miles. Perhaps one OF the best fast
records for the year was done by Ariel, OF
I. Brooks, of Germantown, who won the
worlds purse for best average speed, 10
miles or over, ut the beginning OF the sea-
son. His record was 451 miles in nine
hours, l. minutes. F. L. Thurber gave a
cash prize this season for speed. Birds from
w. b. GarrObrantS, Newark Five Club, and
Thomas Bowman, Scranton Club, finished
together. The latter subsequently offered
a prize for the best young bird flying 23O
miles or more. 1t was captured by little
fellow from the lott of Mr.. IversOn of the
Hudson HOming Pigeon Climb. W. Nerrin-
der of the Hudson and Newark club offered
a handsome prize for the best speed, 200
miles or over for old birds and another for
young birds These trophies, together
with two others offered by J. X. HarsOn
for young flyers, were won by the Ger
mantown Club. For $50 miles the Cover
nor Hill of NJ B. Mcclure Of the Kings
County Club is the only bird in this State
that has flown the distance.
(which stock do you find to be the
best?'
Baby Mine, which was owned by F..
II. COnoyer, of keypOrt, \. j., was the
first young bird to make $50 miles in
day. Ten years ago, during the centennial,
an award was offered to the first American
bred bird that would cover 800 miles in
one day. To illustrate how rapid has
been the progress of the sport since,
need only mention that last year at the
American Institute fair, one man, Dr.
Johnson of KeypOrt, New Jersey,
showed fourteen birds which had
accomplished the undertaking. The
great trouble was to cover the Journey in
one day. Last year +. Fred Goldman's
Ned Damon recorded 500 miles rs an
effort during the daylight and George
Watt of Keyport had two to do it this
year. Another surprising thing which
has been proved within few years is that
pigeons can he bred and raised at sea.
Captain Watson, the dock master of the
Cunard line, informs me that on several
voyages between California and England
the vessel arrived at her destination with
from twenty to thirty birds. This, too
after a number of squads had been used for
food