Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1906-11-03
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cises in coming home from long dis
tances. 1t has been proved that it
is primarily instinct. For instance,
bird which had never been trained
was sold, and after three years i'm
prisonment, came home, 400 miles,
over entirely new country.
The love of home is, probably,
stranger in a homing pigeon than in
any other bird or animal. For in
stance, the birds are put in crate,
shipped to large city some 300
miles distant, and turned loose.
There are perhaps a hundred strange
lofts at which they could stay and be
we'll cared for, but the home love is
so strong in them that they fly 300
miles, perhaps in a storm, against
the wind all the way, rather than
settle in a strange loft.
There are four things necessary
to every flying loft-self feeder, con-
tanning grit, oyster shells and ground
charcoal. lump of rock salt, bath
pan and a drinking fountain.
The loft is equipped with traps.
Those are simply pieces of wire in
the shape of an inverted U. These
are fastened at the entrance in such
a manner that the birds can easily
push them and enter, but, once in
the loft, they cannot get out again.
The loft must be so situated that
there is no danger from telephone
wires, for when bird gets home
from a lengthy fly it drops into
the home roof with great velocity.
If it hits a telephone wire at this
moment it may break its neck, or
sustain some serious injury.
In feeding birds that are flying
hard schedule. variety is the main
necessity. The birds are not fed
one kind of grain alone, but several
kinds. All grain fed is one year old,
lest it should sour in their crops.
Flyers cannot be fat, for no bird
can fly long distances when in that
condition. They are not fed from a
self-feeder, therefore, or by any 9TH
er device which keeps food constant
ly before them, The best way is to
feed them twice day, and only as
much as they will eat up clean.
AS soon as the bird has learned to
fly well its training is begun. 1t is
put in a separate loft with others of
the same age.
After it has become accustomed to
its new quarters, the trainer comes
in some morning and throws grain on
the floor. He then chases them out
before they have time to eat and
makes them fly five or 10 minutes;
not having had their breakfast, they
return to the loft as soon as they
light. When they enter, the traps
come down and they are prisoners.
In the afternoon the process is re-
peated.
This is kept up until about the
middle of August, the time they are
made to fly being increased gradual
ly, until they are flying two or more
hours day.
They are then taken about a mile
away from home and turned loose to
return home. This is repeated in
different direction each day until
they know the city perfectly. They
are then flown in one direction.
They are first taken about nine
miles away from home and turned
loose. Then the distance is Jump
ed" about 10 miles, i. e., they are
taken 10 miles further than they
were last time. They are they flown
from 35, 68, IA, 100, $50, 29O and
300 miles, with intervals of about
four days between each trip. The
flying season begins September 1.
The owner of the birds train them !
up to 100 milor. The Spokane HON.
ing Club flies from 100 to 300 miles. /
The races begin at 100 miles.
In selecting a flying course the
club is careful to keep away from
and large bodies of water,
as they are apt to confuse the birds.
When the young birds have flown
300 miles they are allowed to rest
until the following April, when they
are flown in the old bird races.
The flying season for the old birds
N