New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-11

paper film two inches by an inch or so. In this
way single pigeon was the bearer OF upward oil
senders was considerably over 100 The frst three
pigeons carried in this way over 1000 dispatches
were brought into Paris by the pigeons. and the
records OF the pigeon ana balloon 1erVce o. one nc
of the Jules Verne type than simple historical facts
The services rendered during the i si s
nearly all the Governments OF Europe (ouI own
tary lofts which have been extended on every
hand. and are being perfected TO the present tme,
of the homing pigeon for military purposes few
stalwart fanciers In this country discovered new
N P and other recognized fathers Of the fancy
Imported the best birds that Belgium had to offer offer;
that the racing pigeon III this country has been
produced. have little hesitation in saying that
ing the last twenty-five years in purchasing the
best birds and that a at prices from say s;n s f5I rd
The first public ong-distance races In this country
been gradually clearing It's character of being a
mile sweeps until towns innumerable and VII
lagos throughout the country have their flying
AT I'VE hundred mile. WheTever too the BRIT
isher' has gone there also has he taken his ter
rier and homng pigeon, and we now hear Of the
bird as IN has ibs
sport extended IN the last few years that 1t would
pigeons t nG recognized rt d as The worlds great sport
Il NAV be safely computed that during the last
Ssen at '"
places in the, South Of England, to ny into Lanca-
5"6 wouid later on cross the Channel en- route for
either Cherbourg Jersey and Of these quite 900
distances varying from 500 to $50 miles
SO unwieldy has the fancy OF late become tha,
union" have been drafted and probably before
1881 has by shall sss h.s WITH n sn,ceS of
The great ambition of the Northern fancer is TO
fly 800 miles IN the % hs up 30 'h BIRDS hays
been home well before breakfast the morning after
performances can however. readily be done on a
favorable day. and many fanciers In and about
in guy "s, the Winning bird flying 5o miles with
an average velocity Of l,l5i yards per minute for
I'm the t da are quite in Begnm and he
distance has also been covered in America.
performances fen;s Of strength, and. as far as
hons pF TO viii go oe sn the BEST
them. Take This as an everyday example Birds
the the North OF England. and the wind is blowing At
the rate OF upward OF a mile q minute dead
In their lofts under 100 minutes. The day may be
cold and a seet storm or two may have TO be en-
day is sIch that the birds cannot see their way
but have to feel 1t. and the wind bloweth from tho
q qhen ro n4 The Winter Of our disconent we
snail find he winning birds velocity reduced to
bare 8 per cent of the liberated birds home the
day. These are the races 10 be won, ana
these are the good 'uns TO breed from and TO
perpetuate tho wonderful pluck and stamina OF
tho homlng pigeon.
Take another example. which is also unique and
shows that the horning instinct Is innate TO the
pigeon Itself, and not made by the fancier. In
giving It ! Will sketch the life OF homng pigeon:
We will suppose pigeons were Matched on March
last: I'm July they would be put on the road start
ing at a three-mlle stage which would be Increased
10 s. r. "a and say "a miles by degrees. They
would then be ready for the first race-Worcester.
Z; miles-on the first Saturday In August. The
% miles; the next Saturday. Swirdon. IA miles
and on the last Saturday OF August they would go
10 Bournemouth $50 miles. Swindon has always
been considered far enough for youngsters. but In
1905 and 1895 races flown, and successfully
from Bournemouth. many OF the birds covering 200
miles Not n bad performance for babies. many OF
,bsm under twenty weeks old