HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 63

HOMING NOTES.

Bx Mausta Mealy

A flying race from Ashburton (151 miles air line from Dunedin, open to all flyers within a radius of 12 miles from the Dunedin Post Office) was held on Saturday for a sweepstake of 2s each pigeon, with 10s added by th© Dunedin Fanciers' Club. The first five winners are to be exhibited at this club's show. Prizes: First prize, 50 per cent.; second, 30 per.cent. ; third, 15 per cent.; fourth, 5 per cent.; fifth, a certificate. One hundred and seventeen pigeons competed, representing 24 lofts. Mr M'Donald liberated the pigeons at 11.7 a.m. The weather was fine, with a southwest wind against the birds. The race resulted as follows:

Messrs Finnegan and Witt's Lorna Pounds (time, 4hr 4min; velocity, 1084yds 2ft per minute) 1 Mr R. Umbers's Bonnie Lass (time, 4hr Ifmin; velocity, 1082yds Ift) ... 2 Mr P. Clark's Zealandia Princess (time, 4hrs 6min; velocity. Mr W. Tattersficld's Robin Hood (time, 4hr 3|min; velocity, 1075yds Oft 4in) 4 Mr H. Short's Planetory (time, 4hr 4min; velocity, 1074yds Ift 6in) 5 Lorna Pounds, the winner of the show race, was bred by Mr Finnegan from Jean Gerardy II ex La Griselda, by Sedgley Monarch ex Grizzle Gran I, by Mons Gran ex Griselda; Jean Gerardy 11, by Jean Gerardy (brother of Mons Gran), by,Mons Gerard ex Grannie. Those who follow or who are interested in inbreding- will observe how Lorna Pounds is bred. Mons Gerard and Grannie are on the sire and dam's side, and, to use a horse-racing term, are inbred to the third line —the way the late Mr G G. Stead bred his famous racehorses. Mr Umbers bred his bird Bonnie Lass from Blue Rock ex Snowflight. Mr Clark's Zealandia Princess if by. Bonami Prince ex Eulalie II; Bonami Prince, by Zealandia King ex Bonne Ami : Eulalie 11, by Mons Evans ex Eulalie. _ Mr Tattersficld's Robin Hood is from his imported Wegge cock ex Miss Grooter, the imported Grizzle hen ot Mr Haynes's. Mr Short's Planetary is from that good bird Planet ex. daughter of Hilton's Bon Pale hen.

The Fanciers' Club Show Race, flown la6t Saturday, was a good test of what condition can do. The birds had a nice southwest wind to face, which settled the chances of a number of the pigeons, the majority of whom were young birds —in fact, the placed birds are all young birds, which prove that at this time of the year old pigeons have no chance with youngsters, simply because tihey are not in condition. As I stated in my notes last week, youn-* hens will always beat young cocks. As an instance, in the above race Mr Finnegan entered seven hens and two cocks, and eight of them landed together: one sock was later than his comrades. Messrs West and Connor, who have purchased Mr Finnegan's loft, were present to purchase the first four youngsters to arrive, and ti ey were somewhat surprised to see eight pigeons alight at once. These young hens have only competed in three young bird races, winning sixth position from Oamaru, third from Timaru. and first from Ashburton. It seems a pity that this strong loft sbould be split up. but as Mr Finnegan leaves this week for Ghristchurch he is taking only six pair. The new fanciars are purchasing five pair, and the balance are for immediate- sale. I wish Messrs Connor and Watt every success, but as they ore novices and have had no previous experience thev must not be disappointed if success is late in coming. I understand Mr Finne.Qvq.n has instructed them how to mate their birds for next breeding season, which I consider one of the most important factors of success in homing pigeons. The Dunedin Club's supporters will be interested 'in the Christchurch Club races when Mr Finnegan gets going. He is taking with him a strong team to breed from in Grannie' Anres Moi, Grannio VI, La Tcsca, Lady Dellmotte. Ladv Baker. All Red, Jean Oernrdv 11. Bobrikoff, Bonlform. Mons Soffle, Lord Wormald, and the unsold youngsters.

Next Saturday another young bird race will be flown from Ashburton, which concludes the schedule.