The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
A HOMING PIGEON TEST.
Carrier Birds to BE sent Across the
Continent.


Carrier pigeons are about to try TO cross
the continental divide for the first time in
history. The attempt will be made from
one Of the mountain towns near Denver,
probably Ward or Silver Plume. Cassius
NJ. Day will free the thoroughbred birds
for their cross-country fly. The feathered
messengers which are TO make the long
trip are among the most valuable fiers in
the country. One of them, although COM
paratively young, cost $3.50, and is one Of
several birds Matched by Silver Queen, a
former champion.
An effort will be made to break the
worlds record held by Red Boy. The three
birds to be Ioosed by Mr.. Day are, says the
Denver Times, to fly TO Grafton, w. Va.
Their names will be kept secret for the
present. The winged travellers will be set
at liberty at sunrise for their journey to-
ward the Atlantic. This is the secret of
Mr.. Days previous successes-starting the
birds before the sun is up and showing
them Enthusiastically the points of the COM
pass.
Before noon the carriers will be across
the Missouri, flying high and still eastward
bound. When night comes and they are
ready to settle down for rest. as carrier
RlSNOAS oltllOSN away W. III III ~
well into the country b~eyond-1llinois In
diana or Kentucky. 1t is a fact, according
to Mr.. Day. who is one OF the pigeon eX-
perts OF this country and the official lib
orator for several of the celebrated homing
clubs, that every pigeon liberated by him
in this section has flown across the Mis-
souri, river within twelve hours after leaV-
ing Denver. This means over 800 miles IN
half a days flying.
A new device will be attached to the car
riers on this flight, which many believe is
| destined IN nrOvo of great mnOrtanpp. III
NAV be adopted by the United tSates army
il it proves all that is expected. 1t is a
simple contrivance made by Mr.. Day-an
aluminium thimble cap to be fastened
firmly on one of the pigeons legs. 1t will
contain messages typewriter on the thin
nest of tissue paper.
The thimbles are no bigger than the tip
of a mans finger. and are exceedingly light
While one will, of course, be noticed by the
bird, ii is hoped that ii will not prove to be
a serious burden even for a fly OF aboul
1900 miles. The exact distance is said tC
be 1,453 miles in an air line.
The greatest flight made thus far was
that of Red Boy, champion of the world
more than a year ago, when he covered
the distance between Denver and Pittsbure
in twenty-one days, e~ncountering some
heavy weather which delayed him in the
middle States. This was a flight of about
1.400 miles. 1t is believed that Red Boy
was held captive for a number of days
at some resting place en- route.
The first few hundred miles of these Ions
fights are made with scarcely a pause. II
is the latter part of the journey which al
ways puzzles the pigeons. When they are
tired the storms and difficulties begin t.
worry and divert their attention. But the
greatest of all evils feared by the men who
liberate pigeons for long flights is mar
himself.
Every night. and sometimes in the day
time when there is a storm, the pigeor
goes down TO the earth. There he expect:
to find a friend among the two-legged AMI,
mails whom he has always been taught no
to fear. Settling down from the heavens
anxious and almost exhausted, the homins
bird seeks the nearest house and flies
straight into the doorway or window. IL
has no fear and he is hungry.
He expects to be fed. watered, petted
little. and after being permitted to res
where he sees fit about the place he in
tends to go on again toward his distan
goal. But often the people to whom he goes
for shelter want to keep him and take thu
tired bird and put him i'm a cage. Their
he stays for weeks. until all thought of hi
destination has gone. Some day he es
capes and eventually reaches home, a dis
credited bird and unwelcome.
IF people would only feed these pigeon!
with peas or cracked wheat or any small
grain and let them go when they are read,
to go, we should have some of the creates
records smashed without delay; but I
seems as If many persons cannot resist tn,
temptation of Selling what doesn't belong
to them when they have a chance" sal,
Mr.. Day.
ITO prevent this annoying interference,
with these trials of endurance and to war;
people of the birds purpose l shall plac
tiny caps or thimbles on each birds lei
and see what the result is. Anyone catch
ing the bird will notice the aluminium cal
and probably open IL. Then the birds des
~tination will be known and where it starte,
from. / think few men would hold II afte
learning what it's mission was. Some will
see the cap and not disturb il all, perhap
realizing that II contains a message
The result of this flight will be watche,
by homing pigeon experts and army officer
all over the world. as the aluminium ca
device promises much for the carving o
messages. The wings of the pigeons ar
as hard as a piece of wood and the muscl
fibre is of the finest possible quality. The,
arrived from Grafton. w. Va. at Denve
several days ago in a comfortable CAGE
and nave been we'll cared for by Mr.. Da-
ever since.
They are quiet birds and of friendly dis
position.