ONLY ONE BIRD HOME IN RACE TIME

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1938, Page 4

ONLY ONE BIRD HOME IN RACE TIME

PIGEON FLYING

Very bad weather was struck by pigeons in the Whangarei club’s race from Christchurch, flown just before the Christmas holidays. Due to the stormy conditions, the birds were held over for nearly a week. Even then they commenced their long journey in the teeth of a head wind. Only one of the nine birds released got home in race time. This was A. Balfour’s r.c.c. Lonely, which landed just before the race time expired. It was a particularly good achievement and one of which many an old fancier might be proud. Far more credit is due, however, because of the fact that A. Balfour is practically a new fancier. This particular bird has flown very consistently in the old bird programme, and undoubtedly would have won more races had it been trained to go to the, loft as soon as it came home. It was bred by the owner off a Red Check hen (bred by R. Laurie off imported birds presented to Mr J. Mcilroy and later presented to the present owner). The male bird was also presented to A. Balbour by J. Mcllroy but was a Blue Check cock (unknown). Two other birds, one of D. Wilson’s and another of A. Balfour's, have since found their way home.