Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-08-22
CARRIER PIGEONS.
Mr. Floring's Birds Proved Themselves
Reliable.

Reliable.
The thousands of military men and
the tens of thousands of spectators who
were at Mantle last week and watched
the flight of the DEMOCRATS carrier
pigeons often stop and wonder what in
stinct those little feathered birds
possess which enables them to sail away
for home and almost without exception
arrive there. 1t is an instinct which
seldom errs and even the young birds
which have never been farther away
from home than a few miles possess to
an amazing degree that wonderful gift.
And those pretty doves, which were the
objects of interest to all and the pride of
Cog the past week, do not require
great amount of care. Good, clear, cool
water is necessarily one of the principal
things to be obtained, especially where
there is no shade from the broiling sun,
but the canvas covering of the tents,
this article requires to be contin-
ually supplied. The birds get to know
your coming and at early morning are
cooling for that cooling liquid in which
to slake their thirst. Their feed, which
consists of corn and peas is supplied to
as regularly as the trumpet sounded
the breakfast, dinner and supper
calls. They seem to know what
is required of them and at the same
time they want what is required of you.
There are many theories advanced as to
the instinct which they possess, and
how they can so readily strike the right
direction for home, but none can ex-
plain it with any degree of satisfaction.
MIR Floring, of Bishop street, whose
birds the DEMOCRAT used last week, is
an enthusiastic admirer of carrier
pigeons and for years has made it a
study. lie owns to-day probably the
best lot of carriers in the state and is
Justly proud of the records made last
week His loft on Bishop street is an
attraction for people in that vicinity,
and early and late you will find him
there looking after the comforts of his
feathered tribe. Many wonder how
messages are sent by the birds, we'll it
is simple enough. Slips of oiled tissue
paper are cut in strips from half to
three quarters of an inch in width and
of any desired length. On these strips
is written the message to be sent.
From ten to twelve of these strips about
eight inches each in length are rolled
around the leg of the bird between the
claws and first joint. Care must be
taken that the paper is not rolled
around the joint to prevent the bending
of the leg, nor too near the claws, to
allow the free use of the whole leg.
Around this paper is tied lightly piece
of thread, then the birds are ready for
flight. At Mantle the birds were re-
leased every morning before hundreds
of spectators. Usually they fly
in pairs but often five and six
have been sent Off together.
In every flock there will always be one
or two leaders and to these the younger
look for the direction home. The cover
is thrown from the baskets and instantly
the birds sail into the air. They fly in
left only when the leaders do so. For a
half minute they circle around, proba-
bly, 200 feet in the air, when suddenly the
leader or leaders dart away in the direc-
ton of home and then the flight has
really begun. With wings extended to
full breadth and the legs Strengthened
out under the tail they soon disappear
from view, the pace is such fast one.
Some times the young ones cannot keep
up the pace and return back to the
starting point. This was the case
last week, when two birds returned to
the grounds. One of them was caught
and sent for home again Friday and ar
rived all right. Anyone who wishes to
see the number of birds Mr. Floring pos
sesses and would like any information
as to their nature will be generously
treated by calling on him at his homo
on Bishop street. The DEMOCRAT feels
| Just pride in the fact that it was the
only paper on the camp ground which
communicated with their office by
means of carrier pigeons, and have es-
| tablished the fact that it beats the mail
facilities by big percentage.