The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-29
UNCLE SANS BIRDS.
How Governments Carrier Pigeons
Arc Trained and Cared For.


Arc Trained and Cared For.
There are approximately 10000 birds I'm
the United States controlled and practi-
caIIy owned by Uncle Sam. These are not
the birds of the national museums and
parks. but carrier pigeons which are ready
for instant service in any case Of outbreak,
uprising or disaster. The birds are to be
found i'm cotes scattered all over the coun-
try from Maine TO California, and in this
fact lies their value to the Nation.
In England. Germany and France hominS
pigeons are housed, cared for and trained
by men employed by the government for
this special purpose. and as the pigeons
must be at many different stations, the
expense entaiIed is considerable. In our
owl country al the benefits derived by
other governments from the possession Of
carrier pigeons are secured at much less
expense by means of a national federation
OF American homing pigeon fanciers, with
one government loft ct Washington.
The birds of each member Of this fedora
ton are banded when i've days old, and
are then government birds. This band is of
aluminium and is stamped with the birds
number and a letter which represents the
year of its birth. The band is slipped over
the foot and just fits the ankle of an adult
bird. 1t is never removed. The bird is
entered upon the books of the federation
and later, when il has made its record Of
flight, that record is entered under its num-
Der. The record secretary of the fedora
tion is Mr.. John Shepard. Of Philadelphia,
who arranges all the races between the
pigeons of the various districts into which
the federation is divided, and it is by means
of these competitive races that the value
of the pigeons for actual service is deter
mined. Each district has its president, sec
rotary. race secretary and racing commit
Tee. No races are permitted for stakes of
any sort. and If such races are arranged
II * done entirely outside the provisions of
the federation
The Young birds have their Derby race.
which is usually a leo-mile fight, but this
year it is 80 miles. The birds are sent in
baskets TO the required distance from the
home loft and released. They rise, circle
about until they get their bearings, and
then fv in a direct line for home, stopping
neither for food, water, companions or
storms. When a young bird has made its
record il is government property, and can
be taken out at any time on government
missions. The records which some OF the
birds make are marvellous. both for length
of flight and swiftness. The older birds. of
course endure more than the younger. and
their races take place at a different time
The hominC pigeon differs from the COM
mon pigeon in being more squarely bulIt.
Y. e broad across the back and wedge
ebaped. which adapts it for fight. 1t has
much larger wing muscles and a certain
bright aIcrtness which is very marked Inc
homing instinct is that which makes them
valuable. OF course, and this instinct Is SO
marked that If a mother and pair OF her
young are taken 10 a distance ana re-
leased at the same time the mother VIII ger
her bearings and start for home Win ho
more regard for her young than II s"e
never had heard OF them; and the youne
pigeons will leave her in the same manner