HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 66

HOMING NOTES.

Br Madsta Mealt. The Dunodin Club's birds, 14 in all, were liberated last Saturday at 5 a. in. by Mr S'towell, of the Auckland Club, at Auckland. TJp to 10 a.m. on Monday I had not heard of any arrivals. I beg to acknowledge from Mr Clark, secretary of the Dunedin Club, a letter ho roeeivad from Mr Jas. Blee, a member of the Winton Club. Mr Bloe is greatly off-side in his remarks. He states that he knows the Win-tort birds were not up to the standard', and that a number came from Dunedin. I think if he goea carefully over the birds that came from Dunedin, he won't find a weed amongst them. Mr Blee also states that che bird with no ring on was an Australian bird/ ring 203. " H-o # is evidently mixed here. One of his birds has won six out of eight races—excellent performances. I consider one of the rules of the Wintoa Club is not encouraging to an enthusiastic fancier, for -it prevents him training privately. The rule reads:—"No member will be allowed to stnd his birds privately in the guard's van free*. Any member doing so will be disqualified during the pleasure of the committee." The Dunedin Club allows its members to train privately, which I am positive is the key of their success, for a fa.ncier can select any day. whereas club training they have to take their chance of meeting a bad day, then they all come home together. Pigeons liberated singly or in. pairs in their training usually make good, reliable racers, or cha- owne.r will soon ascertain if t'hey are worth persevering with.