SPECIAL BATHS FOR PIGEONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21556, 19 January 1940, Page 4

SPECIAL BATHS FOR PIGEONS

LUXURY HOMES, TOO (Special—By Air Mall) LONDON, December 16. At a secret depot in Warwickshire, some of England’s most precious pigeons are being trained for important war work. They live in nest boxes which are the last word in comfort. Their home is so modern they need not switch off their electric light. It is done automatically. They breakfast on the best maize from a complicated machine which they operate themselves. In charge of the family is Mr A. J. Wager of Birmingham, who has been appointed technical consultant for the National Pigeon Service. Mr Wager has got the job because Air Minister Sir Kingsley Wood thinks he knows more about pigeons than anyone else. Mr Wager, aged 51, has trained pigeons since he was two years old. These birds are to play a big part in a scientific war. So all their training is scientific. They have regular ultraviolet ray baths to keep them energetic. From a modern radiogram special records are relayed througn amplifiers to the pigeons, who sit around and take a great interest. They hear the noise of heavy shells bursting, machine guns rattling, bugles sounding and the sergeant-major bellowing away. To such sounds the pigeons must become accustomed. England and France will depend on these birds keeping their heads and not getting scared when in the noise of battle they go over the top. One pigeon, Billy, is working very hard. If he qualifies, his job will be to take pictures of military objectives. With a tiny camera strapped to his feathers, he may fly over the Siegfried Line. An invisible ray is used by Mr Wager to make sure that the returning pigeons deliver their messages promptly. First, grain and maize is made ready in the lofts. The bird, to reach the food, must pass through the ray. But doing so he rings a bell, which announces his arrival.