HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 36

HOMING NOTES.

111 1 Bt Mausta M^alt. ! Th© Dunedin Homing Pigeon Club flew off a race from Cape" Campbell, an air-lin« ott*t*nce of 347 miles, the ivinner to receive Mr J. Knowles's, een., trophy. One hundred and twenty-three pigeons competed, representing 21 lofts. The birds were liberated by the chief officer of the Monowai, who wired: "Liberated at 7 a.m.; weather sunny, Sight breeze." The Tace resulted as follows : T. Voitch's Good Mealy (time, 7hr 634min ; velocity, 116Syds) 1 A. Stone's Baltimore (time, 7hr 54min; ! -velocity. 1163 yd« lft Win) 2 J. Kno\r!os's Nancy Jane (time, 7hr 50Jmin; velocity, 1163 yds Oft 3iu) .. . 3 A, Hutchin's Kestlsss (time, 7hr BUmin ; velocity, 1161 yds Oft 9in> .. .. ". .. 4 A. Hunt's Pretty Face (time, 7hr 55Jmin; velocity, ll&9yds Oft Bin) 5 H. Short's Lorraine (time, 7hr Blmin ; velocity, 1158 yds lft lin) 6 B. J. Finnegan's Griz Gran 111 (time, 7hr 54min; velocity, 1157 yds) 7 W. Niven's Red Start (time, Thr 53*min; velocity, 1156 yds 2ft 6in) .. .. ".. .8 A. Fleming's Mealy (time, 7hr 54min; velocity, 1156 yds lft lOin) 9 The following also competed: Messrs Gibson, Graham, Hilton, Taylor, Henderson, Beeve, Esquilant, Umbers, Gore, Tumbull, Abernethy, Tattersfield. The winner was bred by Mr Veitch from Bon Red, ex Liberty ; Bon Red bj Bonne Blue, ex Kiliaxney ; Liberty by Independence, ex Daphine; Bonne Blue from Mason's imported Bon Pales; KiUaxney by Gamecock, ex Grannie 11. Mr Butterfield bred Gamecock from hi* imported Baker's Grannie 11, by Mons Gerard and Grannie. Baltimore was bred by hie owner from a pair of imported Drberiaoks. Nancy Jane was bred by Mr Blnowlofi from Doctor Mac, ex Miss J <rerardy, by Jean Gerardy ex Lady Didoot (imported). Mr Talboys bred Reetle&* from jJovd Dillon bsy Lord Abrrcoy, <?x Jxkj Dillon {Mons Gcrarfl ex Granny) ; •lam. Idalia by Ideal, ex Lady ButtF. iTr Hunt's Pretty Face ivas bred by owjjer from Loohiel ox Mjss Rhydiog. Fred Wilson brod Lochiel from his imported Scoi.ties ami sent him to the late Mr Nob!-3. Invcrcargill, vfhero Mr Firniegau bought •him out of the Fanciers' Stiow froi\a 2dcesra Lindsay Bros., and mated him v. iih imported hen, Mis 3 Rh-yduig. Mr Htmi afi«Trrards secured the pair for stock purposes. I ibav« received tho following letter^: — "Two pigeons have taken up their abodehere einco last Monday, October 5. They ar©, I think,- both - male birds, and

' are initialled C.H.S., 79, 1905. You might try to get the owner as I do not wififh to keep them hero. They might be valued by someone. They soem to be -quite- at home here. — I am, etc., W. JWatsos, Gknledi, Milton." "A pigeon came here let Tuesday week, fairly worn out. He came in to me whilst .planting potatoes in (the garden, and looked, up at me, as much as to say will you give me a feed. I picked him up and fed him, and he never attempted to go away. His marks af© as follows, left foot: — W. C-H. S. ; right foofr-jA 758. Kindly tell the owner and I will act, with pleasure, according tc Jnstructione. — I am, etc., Gzorge Gilchbist, Horse Shoe Bend, via Lawrence." The manager of Mit. Royal Station, near Palmerston infernos me that he has a pigeon ring number 172, Q.H.S., and rubber ring 762 a. This bird belongs to the , Chrietchurch Homing Society. They held a. race fr-cun Seacliff, but owing to the very bad -weather at the time the pigeons vrtare released, >a number have been lost. Mr Fincegac, of the Dunedin Club, who is also a, vice-president of the Chri&tchurch Club, will be glad to hear of. and reecile, any birds wearing the CH.S. ring. They will be forwarded to the secretary of the Christchurch Club, to be returned to their^ownsrs. - Next Saturday's- race will "be flown from Ash-burton.