The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-05

human effort, are the inherent qualities
OF the homing pigeon. There Is 4 differ
ence In plumage and structure. The
most muscular bird with little flesh to
carry, but strong and built On symmet-
rlcal lines, makes the surest, swiftest
messenger. Mr.. Carter. who is a pioneer
In The individual training OF ihoming
pigeons, knows the aptitude and oroli-
cheney of his entire staff, and can tell at
a ElanceSwhenfa new recruit enters his
command what may be expected of him.
Naturally fond of the birds and alive to
their needs and desires, the young fam
cler has noted their habits and turned
TO use much of the knowledge gained in
intimate acquaintance with them. He
discovered that the male bird shares the
household duties with his consort. When
the hen pigeon takes to setting. the
cock occupies her place on the nest from
3 O'Clock In the morning until ! o'c.cck
In the afternoon. AT 1 o'clock the hen
promptly appears to relieve her mate,
and he sleeps comfortably all nightton
the outside perch, going after breakfast
in the morning 10 keep the eggs warm
while the mother steps off TO obtain
food, 4 bath, and q siX-hourss stretch OF
wing In the sunny chambers above. IL
may be observed that the male pigeons
does not serve on duty nearly as long as
mis- partner, but he Is always solicitous
and attentive.
When the three weeks probation Is
over, however, and on the twenty-ilrst
day the last youngling has pecked
through the e%gg-shell. Mr.. Swiftwing
considers himself relieved from family
service. His partner may cuddle and
keep warm. the little nurslings and
bring such pucklngs Of food for them as
she deems proper. Her spouse is OF
among the high perches, gabbl!ng 20 the
other pigeons and enjoying himself. Mr..
Carter Is authority for the statement
that the homing pigeons are 4 strictly
monogamist colony, and do not counte-
nance the taking OF more than one mate.
When the war Is over, he Is goinS'to as
certain whether or no they uphold d.
.vorce.
Mr.. Carter considers that. one thor
oughly disciplined pigeon acting on rs
own Judgment is worth a dozen unsldll-
cd carriers, who only do whut the rest OF
the covey does, and who, II left to Them
selves, could accomplish nothing. ln1ac-
cordance with this view pigeons Of the
station at Brooklyn have been trained
singly and are now like. picked scouts
ready for service. In older navies, wnpre
homing pigeons have been In use tor
years before the United Stnsesiadorted
chem, It Inns always been customary TO
toss them three, four. or FIVE alta fine,
the one imitating,t the movements OF the
other. each following the leader without
giving any individual thought &c the
matter In hand. Despite the fact that It
Is much more difficult TO fly the pigeons
singly, the Brooklyn trainer has person.
ally tossed his birds one at n time from
various points Off the coast II IN
nelGhboring states with great success,
One of his pigeons tossed from the Dat.
tleship Texas In Delaware pay, ut 6
o'clock In the morning, rang the signal
bell In the Brooklyn station at noon OF
the same day. Another tossed from An
napolls covered the distance In about the
same time.
1t is habitual with pig~eon-fanciers to
send their birds by express. all tickcted.
rendy for 1lght. to some given point,
and direct some n there to libcrate
them In n flock. Mr.. Carter Judges 1t
best tn accompany his birds personally
ON their trial trips to see that they are
fed enough. and not too much. on the
Journey. and are IN proper condition
p,bnp nnwp E. I-fa.s