HOMING NOTES

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 53

HOMING NOTES

Bt Mausta Meait.

The recent announcement by th« Admiralty that a Volunteer auxiliary pigeon service was to be established, and inviting pigeon fanciers to become enrolled as members in order that their pigeons might be mobilised and used in connection with this service, has drawn public attention to th-a fact that racing pigeons . may be called upon and utilised for valuable services at some future time in the country's history. The sport of long-distance pigeon-racing in England is little more than a quarter of a century old. Amongst its founders was Mr J. W. Logan, M.P., of East Langton, who became s-o infatuated nearly 30 years ago that he founded the first important club in this country, known as the United Counties Flying Club, which promoted tacos open to fanciers in th© United Kingdom, an-" -hich was ctically ii.c foundauoi> pigcon-fl in England and the making of the sport, -^ngdi&tance racing pigeons were introduced into England from Belgium, but previously some fanciers, who came to Spitalfields from abroad, took a greai interest in tho breeding pigeons and other bird?, and they bred a variety of pigeons known as "horsemen." These birds were trained distances of from 50 to 100 miles, and at a later period they were crossed with importations from Belgium, " but they were not very reliable for lp~g-distaiice racing, and most of the succ&ssful birds of to-day are descendants of importations from Belgium, as English fan; ciers have been keen purchasers of the best birds in that country. The breeding of pigeons is a very simple matter, and the hobby can be indulged in by most peopl« who have a snare loft -or suitable place to keen the birds. Naturally, they require t* be kept perfectly clean and healthy, an« for racing purposes they must be exercisw regularly by their owners, exactly in tbi. same manner as racehorses have to be exer« cised preparatory to running a race, and in addition to the exercise which is taken at home by flying round in circles their training has to be most carefully and methodically carried out. It takes from four to five years really to make a good i-acing pigeon. Pigeons, of course, cannot be reared in incubators like fowls or other classes of poultry, for the reason that the young pigeon is dependent on a milky-like substance fed lo it for the first eight or ten days of its existence by its parents. The incubation of the egg takes 18 days, a*nd 28 days after hatching the young pigeon is old enough to leave it« parents and find its own way about. Afc from five to six weeks old they must, with! the greatest care, be given a view of th# outside of their habitation, precautions, being taken that they are not likely to be frightened, and that they have every opporJ tunity of viewing the contour around the' loft without in any way being disturbed. (To be continued.) DUNEDIN HOMING PIGEON CLUB. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Homing Pigeon Club was presided over by Mr E. J.Reeves. The- report for the last season was a' very creditable one. Tho balance sheet slioweci a balance of £1 14s Gel. Although the balance' vas not so largo as tka.l of the previous year, the assets of ilia chib had greatly increased, ard also the membership, making a general' improvement all round. The club had bought two 'new hampers, and was able to lent aj loom for the season. The entries for the races had greatly incieased in quantity as well as 1 in quality Twpntv inccs ivcie lielcl. Mi B. J. I'mnegau being tho most successful competitor by seouruiz 5 fusts, 4 seconds, and 3 I

ihird places. Master S. Smith was second with fi^firsts and 2 second places. Mr N. Holmes ■was next with 1 first, 5 seconds, and 1 third jplace. Messrs 33. J. Reeves, A. Brown, and H. Short each secured 2 first place 3, and several

minor positions. Messrs N. Cairuthexs, F. Gibson, and Vtf. Esquilant each secured 2 first; 3>laces, and Messrs D. Patenson, R. Douglas, <x. Dryden, Michie and Jones, and Crawford «nd Fuller secured minor positions. Amongst

tfct notable events was the race from Wellington,/ this being the longest race the club has held. Fifteen birds competed, and the winner, Mr H. Short's " Young 86," deserves great xroditv flying the distance of 385 mile 3in 13 tours '40 minutes, being the only bird to lome the same day. Mt N. Holmes'B bird Silvester, which filled second place, arrived

"home the first thing next morning, and also cteserves credit, beings only a 12 months' old "bird.. The best velocity was put up by Mr vßeeves'a bird Gladsom in the Gore xace — viz., - a, velocity "of 2011 yards per minule, which was st, very creditable performance, and will take a lot to- beat. A considerable amount of new ' Blood has been imported during the season, Srhich, ought to make an improvement in next reason's birds. Trophies were presented by Messrs E. J. Reeves-, J. C. Short, R. Douglas, • »en., It. Morris, T5-, W. Hilton, J. Nimmo, W. •Bsquilant, and -B. J Finnegan. Mr Morris's jtrophy' for the bircfflyfiig the. longest distance, "being won. ,is still jopen for competition. The offieersfor ?ne coming>sea£on were- elected •«g. follows":— President; -Mi E. J. Reeves (reflected); vice-presidents — Messrs J. C Short, >H. W. Hilton,. L. Morris, A. C. Gerard, F. ' 4J._Lame, J- Nimmcvand t>~ J. G. Macdonald ; i secretary and, treasurer. Mr.W. Tattersfield (reflected); commitiae-vMessrs J C. Short, B. ff.' Fanuegan/W. Esquilaat, N. Holmes, and M. <Jarrutfc«rs. v The meeting closed with votes of ithanks the retiring officers, the donors of trophies, Mr G. Perry for work done, ihe rail- '"< way ofilcials for kindness and care to the birda while travelling on Hie railway, and the press.