THE RACING PIGEON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 18

THE RACING PIGEON.

COMPUTATION OF VELOCITIES LOCAL CLUB JOTTINGS. AVICULTURAL INFORMATION. Continuing from our article on the computation of velocities, the No. 2 formula is as follows:—Slow start—fast finish. Add' the seconds slow at the start, as compared with the master clock, to the total seconds fast at the finish. Then add seconds started slow to clocking-in time of first bird. Then obtain the fraction, which is the number of seconds fast, from the time the fancier's clock started to the time the bird arrived home. A reference to the first articlle will show the method used in obtaining the fraction. The proportional part of the clock's gain, from starting, to bird arriving home, is then deducted from: the flying time. No. 3 Formula. —Fast start —fast finish. Deduct the seconds set fast from the. total seconds fast at the final checking'of'clocks. Obtain the fraction fast from time the fancier's clock started to arrival of first bird home, and deduct from the dial time of the first bird's arrival. Then deduct the whole of the seconds fast at the start, from the flying time. No. 4 Formula.—Fast start—slow finish. Add the seconds started fast to the total scconds slow at the final checking of clocks. Then obtain the fraction slow from time the fancier's clock started on arrival of the first bird home. Deduct the seconds started fast and add the balance to the flying time.

The working out of timing clock variations is a somewhat tricky process, and it is necessary for the proper working of the calculations, to have these formulas pasted on paper, to refer to, as the various clocks are handled. The four combinations of variations are apt to prove elusive when the mind is concentrating upon the several additions and subtractions, and though the writer has had many years' experience in the working out of racing pigeon clock velocities, a brief reference is necessary to moke doubly*' sure that the correct method is being used. Until the writer went into the matter of correctly working out clock variations', there were many races won in Auckland due to the wrong formulas being applied to the variations.

Every club member has the right to have his race velocity worked out in such a manner that fhe final results can be shown on the one sheet in order to check up the working of the calculations. Each velocity should be worked out on a sheet of paper ruled with the starting time of clock, seconds fast or slow at start, master time,, time of bird's arrival, stopping time of clock, and fast or slow at final time checking with the master clock. There can be no element of uncertainty when this system is carried out, and it affords perfect satisfaction to younger members who are as yet unable to follow out the various calculations, unless shown in writing.

A rule very necessary in any club is that every member should hand in the time of each bird's arrival, with name of bird and ring number. This saves a great amount of work and worry, after the dials have been opened, and in the preparation of results for the Press. Local Club Jottings. A new club has been organised during the past week and will race under the name of the Waitemata Flying Club. The president is Mr. S. Gorman; vice-presi-dent, Mr. R. Olliver; secretary, Mr. H. Crowliurst; assistant secretary, Mr. E. J. Andrew. ' The first race was flown from Huntly on Saturday and results wiil appear in this issue. The programme includes races up to Palmerston North. The Waitemata Club will comprise membe.- flying in the North Shore districts, and under the minagemenc of experienced racing pigeon fanciers, fhould prove highly successful Four resignations have been received by the secretary of the North Shore Club during the past week, these members joining the newly-formed Waitemata Flying Club. A considerable amount of friction has been experienced in the North Shore Club during the past month, and has led to the formation of the newly organised society. The police at Waihi . report a bird found bearing ring number A.R.P. 29-2G72: This red chequer can be claimed if the owner will first communicate with Mr. H. Crowhurst, Glen Road, Stanley Bay. * Avicultural Notes. In reply to an inquiry as to the best variety of singing canary, it might be stated that good songsters exist in all varieties. The Border Fancy is a small sprightly, tight-feathered bird, and a free singer. The crested varieties are not considered so good, while the Norwich, of richer colour, larger and more expensive, is considered a very free songster. The Yorkshire canary is long, slim, very upstanding, and' full of life, also of rich colour when colourfed, and is a charming singer. The Roller canary is a small variety, but no attention is paid to colour, being' bred purely for song. ' The Use of meal worms in aviaries, for insect eating birds, enables many varieties to be fed when insect life is usually scarce. These meal worms can be purchased from establishments catering for canaries and cage birds,' and can also be bred. To ensure a proper supply of meal worms, it is necessary to obtain a few perfectly developed meal worm beetles, and place these in a box containing bran and a piece of old flour or bran sacking. A small sponge, slightly damped in a tin attached to the side of the box is an essential. The box should be covered with gauze, and kept in a warm place. The eggs, are laid and it takes twelve months to complete the life cycle of egg to meal worm and then perfect beetle.

The success of an aviary in which a number of varieties of wild birds are kept depends upon the amount, of sheltered places they can. retire when desirious of/quietness. A situation free from winds *is also i essential, and if the aviary cain be" built so : that it catches the eprly morning sun, the birds will -benefit. Small tubs containing tall evergreens and creepers "gives an environment greatly appreciated by the inmates, and is a "decided advantage over bare arid unsightly j boughs. <' A "study; of ther-breeding hajbits of each is necessary so that due regard ''may be . paid to the nesting requirements of > the 'birds;

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS,

J.H, (Te Puke). —Your inquiry entails i V lengthy reply. , Have mailed particulars asked for, covering imported birds, pouters, etc. HUIA (Titirangi). —This is not the bullfinch, but the chaffinch, which shows a sharp bill, utters a call of "pink-pink," and has a small crest.