The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-19
POINTS ABOUT PIGEONS.
Something of the History and characteristics
of the s'HOIners."

OF the 'itoIhfiH.
There is little that is more commendable in
human nature than a study OF those things
that teach one 10 love nature and be humane
and gentle 70 those beasts and birds that NM
ister TO mans comfort. his pleasure and ms
profit noble animal on thoroughbred bird
appeals at once TO him. and he Is poor, IN
deed. who Is not a tancier az some OF the
f0ur-fOOted or winged creatures Recently
there Ina. been quite a step forward IN the
matter Of cutiyating and raising h0mng
pigeons. and n number Of new iancers have
taken up the work IN Washington. To those
who are new 10 this interesting and instructive
pastime something of the history of the hOm-
inc pigeon will be entertaining. 10 is Won
derful bird and the more its habits and char
acterstics are studied the more delighted is
thestudcnt
There Is anerroneous ideain thep public mind
relative 20 TINS bird, although 10 comes 90 us
among the stories of the past and mingled
with the traditions of tho anclents. IL Is sad
by AnacreOn and Pliny that Taurostheurs
after being victorious at the Olympic games,
used pigeon 20 carry home the news OF ms
triumph
The best known Of the carly birds are the
tumbler and English dmgOOn. The tumbler
blood is found 10 be the best in high flying
and the dragOOn for Its swittneas. From TINS
breed only the best and swttest birds have
been kept and bred from generation 10 gem
Grafton. until the present race may he con-
sdered the perfection Of its cultivation. These
birds have annually proved their excellence IN
the long contests flown by American and
European fanclers.
The chief abode Of the homing pigeon has
been in Belgium. but there is no reason why
the American bird should not be just as good
a, those Of foreign nests. lnasmuch as the best
ianciers IN tins country have been continually
breeding the finest and best ters season after
season lin selecting birds for this work they
should be selected with regard % their intelI-
gence and endurance rather than their out
ward appearance. IL matters little whether
he is blue, notified, gray, or splashed. The
work the little fellow ha, done and Is able and
willing 10 do determines ms value. not his
personal beauty. Should he be q reliable for
egn bird he has been bred from long
limo OF ancestors who have gained many lau-
rels in aerial contests.
The public generally seems to be OF the
opinion that all one must dois To- catch bird,
tie a letter, no matter how large and no mat
ter how clumsy, 10 the bird and send'lt OF IN
the desired direction. either from MS home or
10 its home This idea is directly opposed 10
the instinct of the bird from which u get, rs
name 1t is their innate love Of home, their
dislike To change. that causes them TO
seek their familiar rOOst and lott as
speedily as possible after their hber-
alton from captivity. For tins
very reason they are called homing
hardly lie selected for the intelligent little
fellows. In tins country Jhe bird IS some
times called the carrier or messenger
pigeon. These names are not appropriate
Tor the reason that the carrier is bred solely
Tor the show pen. The waffle around his
eyes and on his beak lmpairs his vision, the
keen sight of the homing bird being one OF
ms strong points.
1t Is now about seventy years since these
birds We're first used. IN ISL. the first race Of
any note took place at Hayre. The fanciers
sent Their birds 10 trankfort-on -the-Maiu and
tested their speed homeward bound IN 1920 |
Mr.. CAaplns the wcll-knOWn writer. tells us
that q bird flew from Paris 10 its native town.
winning prize. and was then carried IN
triumph thr ugh the town preceded by |
musicians and followed by two small cannon.
which were discharged AZ intervals 60 notify |
the inhabitants OF the coming OF the victor
IN old sailor tells that when be was q boy
on an American snip anchored az Hayre he !
saw birds liberated for the purpose of flying
10 Paris a distance OF 100 miles returning the |
same evening
So much confidence is placed in these birds
that IN Germany. England Russia and many
other 81 the continental countries extensive |
lofts have been erected IN connection with |
the naval vessels. Each vessel on leayiugport |
is supplied with pigeons. 10y means Of which
reports Of various Alnds are sent ashore
In this country nOthingof this kind has been |
undertaken, but tanciers hope that ere long
something looking toward this end Will be in |
augurated. At Coasters HarbOr r. l.. a loft |
OF about fifty birds has been started. and |
their maintenance is assisted by the officers |
on duty at that post Professor Henry Ma !
non. OF the United States Naval Academy. is !
also an enthusiastic fancier and has plans |
ready for the completion of a series of twelve |
man naval lofts along the Atlantic coast.
starting with Portsmouth. with Washington
for the central station. Key West has a loft !
belonging TO the army signal service From |
any Of these lofts vessels can be supplied with |
birds. and cotes built on board the.men-of |
war as in the French navy.
This is matter that should be carefully !
considered. II would certainly involve but a
slight expenditure of money by the Govern
ment. The ianciers of homing pigeons
throughout the country would hail the move
ment with delight. and would give their
hearty support to the enterprise Washing !
ton Post.
BROWN IS IRON BITTERS