The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-10-03
CARRIER PIGEONS.
Their knowledge of Direction Still
Unexplained,
How the Birds Are Trained For q
Contest.

The facility with which the carrier
pigeon determines its course is as yet
unexplained. To attribute this know
ledge of direction to instinct is merely
a confession of ignorance. 1t is much
rather sight, reflection, and sensation
which guide the carrier pigeon on its
course, and rarely guide it wrong.
The same faculty is possessed by all
migratory birds. To form an intel.
ligent conception of this faculty, We
must assume either special sense or
delicate sensitivoness to atmospheric
currents. Experiments by balloonists
have shown that pigeons are incapable
OF flying at any great height. Birds
thrown out at 6, 900 meters fell like
dead, and even at the moderate height
of 300 meters pigeons liberated by the
balloonist, CASTOR Tissandier ap-
preached the earthin a spiral course. It
is seyident hence, that they are not guild
wholly by sight. To bring a point 300
miles Distant within the range of vision,
1t would be necessary to ascend nearly
20,0 meters. The carrier pigeon,
starting on such journey, must con.
sequently start with faith in the un-
seen.
AS regards the speed and flight of
carrier pigeons, there is considerable
divergence of opinion. The Belgian
birds are admittedly the best, and the
greatest achieved speed of a Belgian
bird is given as $50 kilometers lover
ninety-five miles, within the hour. In
favorable weather a good bird will
cover thirty to thirty five miles in an
hour. The greater the distance, the
smaller the probability of the prompt
return OF the bird. At distance of
say hundred miles almost all birds
return safely if the weather is favor
able, but at distances of four or five
hundred miles it is impossible to
reckon confidently on the birds re-
turn. 1t appears curious, but it is n
we'll established fact that as the bird
nears its home its speed is accelerated.
The question has frequently been
raised MS to whether the male or fe-
male pigeon is the better for racing
contests. Practically there is nothing
to choose between them when both are
in condition, but laying female
should never be taken for the sport.
The carrier pigeon is not, as many
suppose, distinct variety. All do
mestic pigeons are presumably de-
scended from the blue-rock pigeon,
and all are more or less suited to the
purpose. The common pigeon is not
used, for, although rapid fier for
short distances, he has no great stay
ing powers.
One of the best pigeons for the pur-
pose Is the tumbler whose sense or
senation of direction is very strongly
developed, and who rarely loses his
way. The tumbler flies higher than
most birds of the genus, and will con-
tinue circling in the air for hours.
He has all the necessary staying pow
er for long flight and great love of
his home. Still many of these birds
leave much to be desired. In the first
place, they are likely to waste tin e
before setting out on their return;
again, they are liable to fall victims
to birds of prey, and lastly they are
especially liable to diseases of the eye
which frequently result even in total
loss of sight. Another bird of equal
speed and endurance is the Persian
"carrier."
In the first year the trainer rarely
let's the test exceed from go to 90
miles; the following year the distanoe
may be extended to $50 miles and in
the third year, when the bird is at the
height OF its powers, the limit may be
extended to $50 or 400 miles.
In the last year of training, the
first flight is from 120 to 1870 miles,
terminating in contest which usually
extends to about 800 miles The long
est contests are from 400 to 700 miles.
Before entering bird for contest it
should be carefully examined as to its
fitness, and the feet cleaned, washed,
dried and oiled. Some trainers start
their birds with empty crops, with the
idea that it will make them more
eager to get home. This is great
mistake. The famished bird is liable
to be exhausted by long sustained ef-
fort. Literary Digest.