The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-17
GErTlNG SLEEPY" READY FOR A FLIGHT

tractor, has over 200 Of his birds for
navy service, one of them being Gaines
Vile" the celebrated homer who finished
second in the world famous race, when
the winner flew COZ miles from sunrise
20 sunset.
With these birds, messages can be sent
to Washington in the midst of a battle
at sea, giving the full details of the con-
hict. The Washington authorities c4ud
act upon the news and supply more ships
or otherwise relieve the situation.
So highly does France estimate the
value OF pigeons in case Of war, that 1t
recently passed law that homing pig
cons from other countries should not be
admitted TO France except under the
strictest conditions. The French army and
navy authorities realize that in case OF
war these pigeons could be released and
could carry TO the opposing country cor
rect news OF the doings in France. 1t
will, therefore. not allow any trained for
eign pigeons TO become residents Of
France.
Ine instinct Of the homing pigeon is
always for home. You may take it away
and keep it for six months, yet on its
release it will fly up into the air. circle
round and round for moment, then
dart in the direction of its own home.
That is instinct
Scientists claim that there is nothing
wonderful in the instinct of the homing
pigeon. They say that the the pigeon flies
high enough to get view of the land
scape, and that 1t has an eyesight which
is phenOminally powerful in proportion
TO its size. When it reaches a sufficient
height it takes in the situation and, see
ing its familiar shores from the distance.
darts rapidly in that direction. In inns
way it can regain its home.
Should the pigeon at times be mistaken
ana ny slightly out Of its course, it will
alter Its night and reach its home un-
erringly If given the proper time.
Take the case of the Andree pigeon,
which made a long trip from the bal
loon. 1t was shot while resting on a
vessel. The bird had Travelled 10 miles
from Andrees balloon toward Stock
holm, then seeing no land had turned
and came twenty-four miles north again.
Naturally exhausted, IL sank 10 rest upon
the stan Of a vessel and was 50 tired that
1t puts its head under its wing. Fear
ing that it would fly if disturbed, a sailor
shot the bird, took 1t up out Of the water,
and read the message under its wing
The fancier who trained the bird said
that it flew twenty-four miles to rest on
the vessel, but after resting it would have
retraced its course toward Stockholm.
There have been numerous instances
of late where pigeons have been trained
for mercantile purposes. Mr. Alfred Cor
doya, member Of the New York Stock
Exchange, by employing his Well-trained
homng pigeons has remained at home in
North Branch, n. j., for days at a time
and successfully conducted important
transactions at the Stock Exchange in
New York. He calls his pigeons Bull"
Bear Ticker and Tape"
They carry his messages to the Stock
Exchange in less time than he could
wire them. sleepy" one of the little
champion homers, can fly 1,135 yards per
minute. She is one of the swiftest of ali
birds In New Jersey, where many hon.
ing pigeons are trained, something had
to be done to guard against the mischiev-
Gus temptation TO shoot them on the
wing, therefore Ii was made misdemea-
nor to trap or shoot homing pigeon.
In the regular pigeon stations con-
nected with the army and government
there are provisions made for the recep-
ton of the pigeons. A homing pigeon may
arrive home at night or day When re-
leased its makes a flight for its home,
and rests only in the darkest hours. In
one Of the stations there is mechanism
by which a bird may ny In, but AFTER
once in 1t Is a captive. bell rings in
the captains office telling him of the re-
turn of a messenger These stations are
now at Portsmouth, N. H., Key West,
Fla, and Mare Island. Cal.
1t is claimed that If pigeon service
is good for one country 1t is good Tor
another and that If the United States
has a pigeon service Spain should also
hova one Rut this does not apply In the
present unpleasantness, for Spain has no