The Elk Mountain pilot., 1919-01-09

nervous that they could not stand still--they
were like the hair-spring of u WATCH constantly
preening and ducking and on the move. In very
early times homing pigeons were In vogue IN
Egypt Greece aud among the Romans. Racing
pigeons has been royal and national sport In
Belgium. France. Italy, Turkey. Egypt and Eng
land for hundreds Of years. 1t was Introduced
into this country in the seventies and has enjoyed
fair and steady growth until now there are
three national hOmng pigeon associations with
membership of more than 1000 breeders.
Much time is spent In teaching the pigeon NIL OF
the tricks which count when the bird is actua''y
racing in competition with other pigeons. 1t Is
taught to enter the loft Immediately upon Its re-
turn. for a bird that does not enter so thar the
message 1t carries can be taken from 1t Is of very
little value messenger. Nothing Is more
exasperating to the fancier racer than to have
the pigeon return and cool Its anatomy and view
the scenery for half hour before entering the
loft. 1t Is nearly sufficient cause to make the
trainer of pigeons lose his faith In pigeon nature
besides 1t gives the neighbOrs chance TO make
remarks about the fullgrOwn men playing with
brides. Once the bird il inside the loft II cum
not emerge, since each loft is equipped with
trap through which the bird can enter at any time
but cannot go unless the trap IN set for exit.
The ordinary barn variety Of pigeon or those
bred for the production Of squads for market and
the racing homing pigeon should not be con-
fused. They are distinct and have many
points Of difference as have the big draft horse
and the high-strung, nervous racing horse. The
whereas the homing pigeon Is kept and bred cx-
clusively for that faculty. They also bred for
speed. and every muscle which is used In flight
IL developed almost at the expense Of the other
muscles Of Its body. In races the actual speed
recorded In almost beyond belief Speeds of 1850
to 1900 yards per minute. 30 miles per hour.
have been made for short distances. and 1t is not
extraordinary for bird to- cover In excess Of 800
miles in a single day. The record for 1000 miles
is day. II hours, "a minutes and II seconds. and
was made by a bird named Bullet and the longest
successful race was 1859 miles from Denver,
Colo, to Springfield. Mass (time % days. hours.
% minutes). although instances recorded
where birds sent from New York to the Pacific
coast as breeders. have liberation escape
returned from California. the mountains and
plains to their old homes In New York
At various times In this country the army and
navy have decided to carrier pigeons In
their work. but with indi ferent success until the
recent war; The old repO rts rather amusing
when considered In the light of present day knowl
edge of what be done Will! the birds When
handled properly. Pigeons were used In the navy
more than 20 years ago. but failed through lack
of proper care. At the time Of the Mexican b"r-
der trouble pigeons were again tried but with
little success for the same reason and through
lack Of time for acclimatizatiOn
Homing pigeons were first put business
like basis in the army in March. 1917. in the
eastern department. In November of that year
the pigeon section of the land division Of the
nal corps was organized, and since then rapid
progress has been made In this country and