New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-12

the 1ro shore Sc is therefore tOseher
the kssnnsss Of their ysIoD' which, IS known to be
rise 1t is not necessary that they should recognize
he onn 5 qy a ey should IT, Sr
they recognize some landmark when they shape
practice ship Monongahela. off the Carolina coast
invariably headed for the nearest land Lieutenant
which the birds can rise. and the remarkable keen
ness of their sight the distance from coast which
10 miles, ne 10 w hS' opnon
that It is from 200 TO go miles.
LIMITS TO THE PIGEONS POWERS.
1t appears that there are two limitations to the
performances OF the birds Thick weather at
may be said to prevent absolutely. the success Of
pigeon fights. Even land such weather is un-
bic. but by the familiar marks bird might
make Its course without seeing very far at time.
At sea. Of course. there is the possibility that the
bird might rise above a fog. which usually lies low
over the surface OF the water. in which case Il
might get above the fog into a clear atmosphere.
Another limitation lies in the fact that the birds
do not fly at night. Professor Marion. however,
proposes general system by which the dis
tributed at different points along the shore, all
painted alike would be open any birds flying
past. bird reaching the cote at nightfall would
probably recognize and seek refuge in o: these
might be delivered earlier than II it had time
TO reach It's home. These cotes in the plan
proposed by Professor Marion are to be placed near
al lighthouses and lightships 1t is assumed that
Geographic communication exists in all lighthouses,
so tina; messages could be forwarded instantly upon
their receipt In the OF lghtships and out
lying lighthouses IT is proposed establish relay
service with the nearest point OF teegraphc con-
nectiOn.
In connection with the defence Of the coast. Lieu
tenant Knight assumes a supposititious in this
paper which. az clearly as anything. would demon
strate the value OF such a service. Let consid
er. says he. the case OF fleet intruSted with the
defence Of that part Of the coast from Block Island
might be taken up by such fleet. there would be
thrown out many niles beyond 1t line Of light.
which these vessels could communicate with the
r ne nd h sho you'd depend n arg
vessel Of this outer line to discover "nemys fleet
The squadron of defence or toward the nearest
point Of the coast from which it might be possible
1gon ana wh T he c ne. ana # not
overtaken by an enemy's cruiser or by shell from
would Infinitely communicate the fact that at .
certain time-already long past-an enemy's feet
unknown point the coast Let suppose
now that Instead Of hasienng off hsrse she sGu.d
that they would carry the news quite surely
s bc G honr the an a in ew b sbo ah
follow his movements and from time to time send
OH new messengers Win particulars OF MS strength
his course. and his apparent intentions. 1t is not
difficult the immense value OF A system
which promises the possibilities Of such service
IN s.
CAN THEY BE SENT FROM SHORE?
II rapid and certain communication be ostab-
lishe1 from ship 10 shore t. is possible that
munication from the shore a ship lying of
the may. after number OF trials and expert
ments be established The limitations Of course
would be much narrower than IN the case
and there might not be any practical value TO the
system account OF the large element of un-
certainty that would enter into II. Lieutenant
Knight believes that IL may be possible. He thinks
that f. has been demonstrated that the birds can
be taught TO regard ship their home. and to
seek I; and regain II from shore. the ship being
considerable distance from sea: and this. in
spite OF rather wide changes Of position. He
thinks it not inconcevabe that. by gradual syste-
matte training with distances slowly increasing this
might be accomplished.
Wth all Of these limitations 1t is believed tina,
the value 20 the Navy and to the country OF
such service that proposed is of ali pro-
portion to the expense involved This expense is
estimated by Professor Marion at $500 for the
first year and at considerably less for subsequent
unnecessary, for In of necessity the hundreds
Of homing pigeons owned I'm the United States
could be drawn upon. From the statements Of Leu
tenant knight il would seem that this view OF the
training TO teach the birds t. fly water. Cap
tain r. i Phythan. the superintendent Of the
naval loft I'm the following words: Experiments
made with the homng pigeons al the Naval Acade-
my have, In my opinion demonstrated that their
use can be made valuable in receiving communi-
and that the pigeon service should be estab-
lshci on some recognized basis"