The San Francisco call., 1897-03-25
HOMERS SOON TO
SOAR FOR GLORY
Enthusiasts Agog Over
the New Seasons
Opening.
The Proposed Opposition Club Is
Not to Be a Reality
After All.
The Young.Bird Events Are on the
New Schedule and Others Are
Promised.

ALI is activity among the hominz pigeon
enthusiasts these days, for the new season
is on, training OF the flying messengers is
in order, and everything is anticipation
for coming events.
There is only one disappointing feature
to mar the inauguration, and that is the
failure of the project to organize new
local club. 1t was intended that the lat
ter, should it become reality, would pose
as competitor of the old established
California Pigeon and Homing Club, thus
making possible year of interclub con-
tests that would have afforded the pigeon
lovers no end of pleasure and excitement.
But the new scheme had to be abandoned
because of lack Of support, and in conse.
quence the season now opening will be
marked only by contests between the
members of the existing organization.
These are all enthusiasts from the ground
up, SO to speak, and they are making pref
arations to carry out season of sport
that will eclipse all of their previous ef-
forts.
The racing schedule for 1897 has just
been completed by Secretary WEIGH, and
includes al least two big events that will
stretch over many months. That which
is probably attracting most interest and
inspiring most activity among the
breeders, is the proposed young bird con-
test for the Kuehne trophy. Several
months ago Otto Kuehne of Milwaukee,
one of the foremost breeders of homing
pigeons in America, sent q dozen OF his
ch hoicest birds to the San Francisco organ
ization. as gift, but stipulated that they
should be sold, and that the proceeds OF
the sale should be devoted to the purchase
of trophy for which the members should
compete.
Under the arrangements at present
agreed upon this trophy will have to sbe
won three times in succession before it
will go into any body's possession per-
manently.
Just what this trophy is to be has not as
yet been determined upon by the club,
but it II understood that most of the
members prefer that it should be a cup.
But then this is matter that will have to
be decided by committee that will be
appointed on the evening of April 3, when
the club holds It's next regular meeting.
Only this years birds will be eligible to
enter into the contest for the Kuehne
prize, and they must wear seamless fed
Grafton bands stamped with the letter
"R, which is the distinguishing mark
for 1897. The initial race is scheduled for
May 81 Decoration day., and the flight
will be from Santa Rosa to this City, an
airline distance of fifty miles. The en-
tries for this race will be received by Sec
retary Welsh on the evening of April 3.
The second race is down on the pro-
gramme for July 5. this time the course
being from Marysville to San Francisco,
distance of los miles. From Fresno to
the home lofts will be the third flight and
this event is set down to take place on Ad-
mission day. The latter course will be the
longest of tho three, covering distance
of ITO miles.
Inasmuch as some magnificent birds
have popped into life with 1897 privileges,
the breeders are looking forward to some
royal sport.
The Kuehne event is not the only
you1g-bird affair provided for, however,
and not the only one that is interesting
the club mem bers. The trophy that was
partially flown for last year still awaits a
permanent owner and still excites cov-
etous notions. The dates for this contest
have been postponed till late in the year
in order that they may not trespass upon
those of the other events, and, besides,
furnish continuous seasons sport.
The same conditions that prevailed last
year will govern the contest again this
season; and the races will be over the
old courses. The first flight will take
place on September 10 ana will be from
San Jose to this City; the second on Octo-
Uer ~, !ioHl 1IoS inos anu VIC IAiiu On
Novem Der from San Lucas.
No race schedule for old birds has as
yet been announced, but it is understood
that one is under preparation and will be
presented to the club at its next meeting.
The Croley cup, which was flown for
on January 10 last, over the course from
Sacramento to this City and won handily
by Dr.. w. s. George of Antioch, is to be
presented to the winner, at a
special gathering of the pigeon enthusi-
asts to be held within fortnight.