PIGEON FLYING.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5474, 31 December 1904, Page 14

PIGEON FLYING.

(By ‘Whiteflyer.”) It was fortunate for homing clubs that the holidays necessitated a cessation in racing, as the weather, of late has been 'most unsettled and a tew more valuable birds would have been sacrificed by the elements. There has been little doing since last week among the Wellington Homing Pigeon Society’s members. . Some of them have been seeking enjoyment, out of town- and the birds are having a well-earned rest. The question is often asked what becomes of all the birds'that are lost. A bird dealer recently admitted that some of the best homers which he had for sale were purchased from boys who owned pigeons and disposed of all “strays” at almost any price to get rid of them. In fact several of the youngsters had no idea of the value of one pigeon above another. The cat which came back is a mere circumstance to the homing pigeon. Recently a homer returned to a loft at Herve in Belgium, which had been liberated from Rome in a race in 1902. The homing instinct is esc deeply ingraind that matured birds which have been transferred from another loft will stand numberless duckings in water to break them off returning to the old loft and then will be required to be kept prisoners for years. Homing people have a good word to say of the kindness of Captain Farquhar of the Auckland steamer Clansman. Year after year he liberates tha birds for the various clubs, and is always willing and obliging. Captain Farquhar has the birds placed right up on the bridge so as to b 6 under hia close observation all the time until liberated. At a meeting held last week by the Wellington Junior Flying Club, it was * decided to challenge the Wellington Homing Pigeon Society to race from New Plymouth. As the Wellington Junior, Flying Club h3,s races on the Napier line to decide first, the challenge will not be forwarded to the other club for a few weeks yet. All the members of the W.J.F.O. have entered into the’ project with enthusiasm, and -should the W.H.P.S. accept the challenge a most interesting competition should result. . The Wellington Junior Flying Club is to present a gold medal to the member gaining the greatest aggregate number of points during the year. Mr Cooper of. Cuba street, has kindly donated a silver medal as first prize for the next Auckland race. This club has a record number of Derby birds coming on nicely and large entries are promised for the Derby. Several instances are mentioned in history of the good services rendered by carrier pigeons. It was the work done by pigeons at tho siege of Paris that caused them to become better known to the public, and their value to be recognised and made use of by tho different Powers. On the morning of

September 25th, 1870, the Balloon La Villo do Florence was despatched, carrying with it Mons. hlangin, the aeronaut, some dispatches and pigeons. The greatest anxiety prevailed as to what Would be the fate of the balloon and its cargo. This anxiety was soon set at rest, for tie same day two of the pigeons arrived with the news: —■"'Wo landed safely at the Villa of Vonauillet, near Inill, and aro on the point of leaving for Tours with the dispatches. Sixty-four balloons wore altogether sent out of Paris, five wore captured, two wore lost, and ono was carried into Norway. Many of the birds performed the journey several times, and ono of them by reason of tho number of messages it carried was called tho “Angel of the Siege.” It is recorded that some of tho birds captured by tho Germans wore burned into pie, hut one mot a worthier fate. It was sent by Prince Frederick Charles to his mother, the Princess Charlotte. After two years the bird made its escape and returned to Paris, when it was presented to the Jardin d’Aoclimation. Since the siege lofts have been established by most countries at the different fortresses, barracks and lighthouses. The exact number of birds in the service of the Government is not known, but it is said that Prance, Germany, and Italy have tho most complete services. The authorities can also have the use of all tho many thousands of birds owned hy_ the host'of clubs in the different countries. •Mr Weston, secretary of the Wellington Junior Flying Club, has forwarded tho following lines:— Tub Homing Pigeon. By ways unseen, to scenes unknown — Conveyed in darkness, all alone. And then upon the bleak world thrown To fly or fail; The Homing Pigeon makes no moan But cleaves the gale Through storm and calm, till ending day; On spreading wings he speeds away: Nor foe may stop, nor tempter stay His long career. That single law ho will obey. Which makes Home dear. Thus is it with tho Soul of Man, Brought hither throughjomo occult plan. We know not when our" souls began Nor whence they tend tint struggle on and hope to scan Homo at tho end.