HOMING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2945, 24 August 1910, Page 57

HOMING NOTES.

By Master Grooter.

With a. view to protecting the longdistance in the same season." This is a trained birds, the Homing Club passed the Following resolution:—"That no biiKr.; bo allowed to compete in any of the club's races that have not flown at least half the distance in tlv> frame season." This is a, pood idea, and I am sorry to have to admit that the action of some members renders it necessary to take such action. A crlanco at the 8.15 o'clock train these morning will soon convince anyone that, the training l is in full swing, and the fine weather will no doubt have enabled some good times to bo recorded, and has 'given the youncrer (feed heart. Mere is a good olan as how to win the first three races. To win a first prize is net easy, and a geed do«e of chance is necessary, but. to win a prize is a fancier's main desire. A niareon has always a position whioh it prefers, and when it finds itself there ifc comes back better than at any other time, and if it is stimulated at this moment r.r.e may secure a good win. The best position to win with a cock is when he has a big youngster and his hen has laid an egg. or when he is again sittinsr for one or two days. In working these birds in view of a raos fhr:e are mean-? of getting them into this condition, but it. goes vYithont sayinsr tbit there is need of much patience. But what do-.- that matter if one is rewarded for h:« trouble. This is how I should proceed .with a x>clc having a big 1 yountrster and again chasing to nest. When tke bird acrain sliows his amorous d«s;re. at once withdraw his hen from the loft every morning, and onlv return her whon night comes. The cock bird, remaining alone in the nest place with his yourvji, has then all the care of it. To help him in this task, give the youngster some peas or beans <ioak>od for a short time with warm water. In this way the oook does not fatigue himself too much. This withdrawing the hen continues till it is tim>e for he* to lav. Directly you feol the etrsr, leave the hen definitely in the loft. You will rp« with what joy the cook will welcome his mate, from whom he been, seuar-

aicd, and when she finally remains a:.'d lays her egg that- should rends.- the ccck invincible. A ccck chasing to nest wears itself out. See him following his hen, and ■not giving himself a moment's i-espite ; just picking up several grains, then lifting his head with anxiety and eagerly looking •for the lien, who is the cause of all this excitement. Perceiving her, he jostles his companions, pc&ks her, and the course recommences, and continues till the hen, j fatigued, enters her nest. It results from : all this that their organism is enfeebled, ■and they arrive at the period of sitting (with much more diminished ardour than >jf the plan I have indicated had been -.followed, aa at this period the ccck will be in his best form and spirit, and do all in his power to return to his loft. .'.- Another point fancieiy- should boar in mind is that if a pigeon that races is feedfang, care must be taken not to remove the voungster before the old bird is removed and penned up for the race, otherwise, the I oriental faculties of the pigeon, having bec.n impressed, one half of his .means that no into activity to return is removed. Later on I intend giving a method of preparing birds for long-distance races.