The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-18
THIS PIGEON A RAILROADER
FOR THREE YEARS BILL HAS BEEN
RACING WITH TRAINS.
Makes a Daily Trip Out From East Hampton.
Conn. and IL known to All Trainmen
on the Air An Division Race
with a Hawk III Accomplishments.

With q Hawk His Accomplishments
WuLIMANTrc, Conn. Aug. l7.-Bill the
Train Racer. known to every railroad man
along the Air Line division Of the New
Haven road from this city to Middletown.
is the most wonderful pigeon that ever
came to the notice of bird farciers within
the borders Of the old Nutmeg State.
For three years he has been the daily
companion Of trainmen who run on this
line and hardly a day passes but Bill starts
in a race with one Of the passenger trains
on the division. In three years Bill has
never failed. except during the coolest
weather Of last winter. to meet the first
passenger train from New Haven to this
| city when the train reaches East Hampton
at 1851 A. NJ.
IL the train is a bit late ne sits On the
telegraph pole nearest the station and
looks up and down the track until he spies
the smoke Of the approaching train. Then
he gives himself n shake and prepares for
his race to Lyman Viaduct. four miles
away. Bill generally takes a handicap
in the race, but after bird and train are
well under way it is nip and tuck to the
Viaduct station. with Bill generally win
ming out, although Charlie Bennett. the
engineer Of the train, does his best to over-
take the train racer. When Bill succeeds
in beating the engineer to the station he
perches on a pole near by. where he tries
10 attract the attention Of all those near by
to his prowess. II no attention is paid
to him he does a few tricks. such as tumbling.
which are bound to make people sit up and
take notice.
When the train pulls out for the next
station Bill settles down for a slow fly back
home to East Hampton. Occasionally he
fingers at the station at the viaduot until
| time for a down freight and accompanies
that back. This ia his daily programme.
Bill, who has come to be the pet OF all the
railroad men ~hereabouts, was first noticed
about the East Hampton station three sum
mers ago. His peculiar plumage, which il
chocolate colored from his bill 10 the tip Of
his tail, attracted the notice OF the railroad
men and they fed him some grain from one
of the freight trains.
That was just the encouragement that
Bill was looking for, and after that he was a
daily visitor AZ the station. One morning
he was taking his breakfast on the back
steps Of the station when he spied the up
train drawing into the station. Instead OF
being frightened away, Bill at once began
TO investigate the big snorting iron monster
resting for a moment in front of the station.
He few up to the smokestack, 50 close that
Engineer Bennett was sure he would fall in,
and then paid his compliments TO the cab.
When Conductor Clark OF the train called
"All aboard" Bill decided TO take his first
trip up the road. When he reached the next
station he was pretty well tired out, having
followed the engine closely, but the excite
ment apparently appealed to him, for the
next morning he was on hand again. and
he has now become a daily traveller.
Occasionally he continues his trip on up
to West Chester, three miles further on, and
waits there for a down train which he ac-
companies back home. Old commuters
over the route watch every morning for Bill,
and new travellers over the route always
notice the chocolate colored pigeon that
Joins the train at East Hampton.
Some months ago Bill had an exciting race
for life with the train which the travellers
When Bill started out from East Hampton
those in the rear car noticed that a big hen
hawk was giving chase. Bill, who was TAX
ing it easy, saw the hawk too.
Engineer Bennett. who was leaning
out Of his cab. spotted the trouble In an
han six seconds it was a race for life
between Bill and the hawk. Whenever
the hawk gained on Bill and the engine
Bill with great c~leverness would fly close
to tho windows OF the car, then suddenly
drop into the bushes to emerge two hundred
feet beyond near the engine.
IL didn't take many manoeuvres OF this
kin to worry the hawk, who just before |
chase. When the train halted Bill was a |
worn out bird and was glad to tax a rest
and wait for the down train back.
Sometimes when interest among the
passengers seems to lag in Bill and his
doings the clever little bird. who is as
vain as a peacock. puts up various lodges
to attract notice. II tho train is travelling
too slow TO suitfhim he will get fifty feet
ahead Of the engine and suddenly turn |
a complete somersault In the air and drop ]
TO the side Of the track as though he bad
been shot dead.
The first time he played that trick both
Conductor Clark and Engineer Bennett
were sure that their pet vas dead, but to
their surprise In Q few seconds he appeared