THE RACING PIGEON.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 19

THE RACING PIGEON.

TRAINING TO TRAPS. THE SWIFT. LOCAL CLUB JOTTINGS. If the racing pigeon was merely a "creature of habit," and automatic in its obedience to the fancier, there would i be little fascination in the hobby. Be- | cause the highly-bred racing pigeon is complex in its mental make-up and fol- J lows the dictate." of its own will, subject, of course, to persuasive training, the results achieved are a net result of leading and not forcing. In some degree, either great or little, each racer differs from its loft mate. Not only are the physical characteristics varied, but the mentality of each bird is varied; therefore, it is necessary for the novice a? well as the fancier with only a few years experience, to study and analyse the characteristics of the racing team, in order to develop and lead the bird into the correct line of action to ensure a quick response to the call of the owner. Despite the fact that the majority of birds in a fancier's loft may be fairly stolid in temperament, on the race day they arrive home with nerves on the jump, and the slightest varied feature in the landscape immediately surrounding the loft, or some slight alteration in the loft, will cause intense uneasiness to the trapping bird. With the knowledge that upon quick trapping of the bird depends a prospect of participation in a fairly substantial cash prize, it is not to be wondered at that fanciers are apt to lose their usual calm manner r.nd transform themselves into veritable strangers to t|je bird by actions totally unlike the owner's everyday demeanour. Hence it is that an unusual strange noise such as a rapid rattling of the* feed tin, a shrill whistle, or the showering of partridge peas on the loft floor causes the bird to stop and ponder upon the unrecognised sounds before entering. It is only by preserving a calm manner and treating the race day as an ordinary day that the homing pigeon tolerates the presence of the owner within the loft, and enters with a minimum of delay. The Swift. Very few varieties of fancy pigeons are as unique as the Swift, and this pigeon, which takes its name after the small bird of the swallow family because of the short legs and long wings, has many admirers in other countries, but as yet has not received any support in the Dominion.

Silvers, golds, bronze, blacks, also j powdered silvers, are among the range of colours, and give a striking effect to a well-bred specimen. In type the Swift is a picture of speed, with the wing feathers stretching along to the tail tips. The body is carried horizontally, and the neat small head is beautifully round, with beak rather stout and short. In eye colour, red is considered preferable, with a nice fine eye cere. There are few varieties that are longer-lived and hardier thin the Swift, and a team out flying show a decidedly attractive picture. Local Club Jottings. . Racing has now commenced with the majority of Auckland clubs, and the basket problem requires more attention tban in previous-yean. The increasing

traffic on the railway? suggests that | clubs should arrange tor a special subcommittee to deal with the question of receiving and cheeking the returns. During the past few years the writer has noted several club baskets unduly delayed in return to the club owners, and with the high expense in the cost of manufacture, it is essential that club baskets should be kept and maintained in good working order. Answers to Correspondents: '"G.H." (Koskill): If the eggs are clear on the seventh day then they are infertile. Break them, and the hen will lay again within a fortnight. By testing the eggs on the fourth day an amount of time is saved in the event of infertility. It is absurd to smash the first pair of eggs iaid by any pair of young birds. They are iust as good as* the second pair.