PIGEON MESSENGERS.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume XIII, Issue 1, 2 June 1910, Page 2

PIGEON MESSENGERS.

Pretty pigeons of Australia carry packages and messages between Hobart and Maatsuyker Island lighthouse, a distance of about seventyfive miles. Laet-November they

| called a physician for a lighthouse attendant and probably saved his life. Three birds are liberated with messages every three weeks, and j when accident or illness occurs three additional birds are set free, i Twelve birds in all are used for the service. While messages have not ; always reached their destination, the service has nevertheless been highly satisfactory. The messages are written on a piece of paper tied under . the bird's wing ; but the marine ' board has in view some celluloid ! cases which may be adjusted under j the bird's wing, and in which a good deal of information might be carried. | The birds are fed on grey peas of good quality, get plenty of grit and , flash water, and are kept thoroughly 1 clean. They are also allowed at their station plenty of opportunity for needfull exercise. That Maat- | suyker Island lighthouse, which has a most isolated position, could secure a physician from Hobart sixj teen hours after he had been sent for by pigeon post has suggested ! important possibilities for more : general use of homing pigeons for , such service. Trophies are to be 1 provided for homing competitions, 'so as to encourage owners to breed the best descriptions of carriers, i There are about 20,000 of these j birds in Australia.