Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-25

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| The pigeon fanciers of washington are turning
| their attention to homing pigeons, and several
| races between rival lofts are anticipated. re-
porter Of TIE STAR some days ago visited the loft
| OF wel-known breeder for the purpose Of learn
Ing something OF this remarkable bird that has
been known to ny hundreds of miles home.
There Is general impression among persons
not conversant with pigeon lore" said the
breeder, shat the homing pigeon is the same as
the carrier pigeon. In one sense this Is 50. be-
cause the bird really carries messages, but there
| Is vast difference between II and the carrier
messages BY the carrier as the large excrescenoe
| around the eyes and beak make 1t hard for It 10
zee. Then again carriers are very expensive
| birds, and 1t would hardly pay TO ny them for
sport The carrier pigeon" continued the breeder,
's one OF the oldest species we have any record Of
bird a far back as l774, while Shakespeare mem
lions carrier pigeons in several OF his playa"
.Do pigeons carry from as well a. TO placer"
"That Is the general impression, believe, but
the truth Is that birds ny to their homes only, and
u u tneir love Of home that causes them 70 seek
their old haplrations, and hence the name homtnG
pigeons The messages are generally attached 70
ING tau Ieatners or otherwise located 50 a. not 70
inteIeTo with the free use OF their wtngx"
PIoEoNa At HOME
Ranged on three sides OF large room that COM
| municated with the outer world by o single win
dow were located long shelves resembling post
once boxes each provided with straw and having q
small strip OF wood on Its outer end As rest for
reignrd Every occupant seemed contented, and
only the drumming or male summoning bis vile
70 her nest or the SOFT weak whistle OF the squads
disLurocd the stiffness.
"Do you train birds for racingi" asked TIE STAR
man.
eyes; but that is the most din1cult feature Of
the whole business as great care aud discrtmina-
uon must De used IN tneir selection.
- commence with young birds" he continued,
"aoout tnree or four months old, and take them In
pox or oaskeJ short distance. The best time to
90 THIS Is early IN the morning. when the birds are
hungry 80 that when hDera ed they will be anxious
70 get home, that they may Iced ut once. TINS
lesson is repealed, II possible every day, but the
nlsht should he la another direction, until flights
Iroin an quarters OF the compass have been made.
In tnis way
THEY BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE cHARAcrER OF
THE COUNTRY
around them, which they easily recognize when on
Night. and they know that home is near by. The
distance Is gradually increased" he continued,
until the bird can do so mi es with pparent ease
you nave a Particular race In view II Is good
taheS place"
"how do you uberate themY" asked the reporter.
rue best plan when nberating a bird Is TO
throw IL upward IRON tue nauds, firmly but
gentiy, care being taken not 70 disarrange any
"Ihe training is novel TO them at first, but they
soon grow accustomed to 1t, and seem 10 enjoy 1t.
ihe great ulmculty Is IN starting. After being
freed, bird VIII ny round and round for some
time before cutting Tor home"
rs there danger OF overwhelming bird?"
Yes; out It's only the inexperienced amateur
that does THIS, as Inc experience gained by having
some choice birds never come nome Is u sad lesson,
aud one never forgotten"
How 10 you distinguish your birdss They all
seem ankle"
Spy private marks. Every breeder has mark
OF his own. When birds are .nylng,' It's number
ana Inc name and address are printed ON Its wings"
PIGEON RACE.
HAftpr Won name the Az On which ontrfaa are
to close for the race you obtain the distance from
the starting point to each contestants loft The
night before the race all BIRDS must be delivered to
the committee having the Face In Charge The
meinuero OF this Committee tuen give tue Uird, in
addition TO the number already there, another
number and letter, which must not pe known TO
any Que else. The Ulrds are taken to the starting
point and liberated, te.egram being sent 10 head
Quarters. Each contestant as SooL as his bird ar
ilseS must Telegraph TO headquarters a description
oi the Dird together VITA NE number and letter
given by tne com.llttee. The ueXJ day he is re-
Qu red TO produce the i've Ulrj. 1ne distance each
Ulrd makes together Win lne time are a basis Tor
Cas- siIylng the winners. the biru flying the
greatesl number OF yards per minute Is declared
the winner, the bird doing tue next greatest
second, and so on"
"wnat benefit Is derived from homing pigeons?"
asked 1 HE STAR man.
"Ihe USES OF the homing pigeon were fully tested
In the Franco-Gernan war Ior Carrying messages,
AUD now ioiIs are rapidly being buliI all over The
world"
Dunng this conversation the door.bell rang, and
ali expiesslnan with a cage OF Lwenty-one nUmers
from Ned BANK, n. j. Game In. lle birds were
from weu-knoSn Lancer, with Instructions to
hoerdte the next morning al q O'Clock.
ave often do favUrs among ourselves" said the
Dreeuer In expianatlun, saving great deal OF
tlaiie anu Id Dor. O.uerwlse The own would have
10 come Vi hire al attendant 70 Tree his BIRDS"
Preparations are being made ior u large nomlng
pigrOl race acre about lne lsL Oh september, and
1t Is expected tAat lu.iy oJ oirds VIII participate
The Vausvsile Farmers.
THE BEST MEANS OF REvIvlNG WORKOUT LANDS CON-