HOMING PIGEON NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16366, 3 March 1921, Page 3

HOMING PIGEON NOTES

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“ MOUNTAINEER .”)

“Mountaineer'’ would, be pleased to j«eeiTe items of interest for this column Address letters to “ Mountaineer," care of Canterbury Flying Club, Manchester btxeot Mr Georg© Elliot, of Timaru, lias been appointed to judge the pigeons at the YVaimate Winter Show. Palmate is one of the first chibs outside the big centres to realise that it is time* they went in for an up-to-date man i<» judge the pigeon section- It is to be. hoped the pigeon men will show their appreciation by giving them a bumping entry. The Canterbury Flying Club s first young bird race of the season lakes place next Saturday, from \A aikari. The 'monthly meeting of the Canterbury Flying Club takes place next Tuesday evening, when several new members will come up for election. The United Fanciers’ Club held a show last Wednesday night lor broken feathered tumblers. Mr George Bradford made the awards, and gave general satisfaction. Results: - Blue Bars, Chequers —R. J. Mitchell. 1 and 3; T. IJ. Jones. 2. Bald Heads—R. B. C. Wyles, 1 and 2: Mottles—B. Bosworth, 1 and 2 : W. Dacombe. 3. Almonds J. M. Crabbe, 1,2 and 3. Best bird in show—S. Bosworth. 1: R. J. Mitchell, 2: J. M. Crabbe, 3. JNext Wednesday evening a show will be. held for any variety fancy pigeons, open to junior members only. Several old hands have promised special prizes* and .Mr T. Tl. Jones has been asked to make the awards- * T understand that My South has sold Ins stud of imported Jacobins. They arc first-class birds, having won in keen competition *n Tin gland. T wish their r.ew owner. Mr Rodtnill who has recently ioined the M.C.F.0., the best of luck with his purchase. WHEN MUST REARING CEASE? Rearing must cease immediately the moult makes its appearance. The moult shows itself directly the bird commences to lose its plumage. Breeding during the period of moulting impedes She regular work of this function. The bird can still moult completely, and, maybe not feel any the worse the next year, but be convinced that if you rej eat the rearing the following year 8t the same time your loft will he yuined. What is the effect of breeding upon moulting? ft strips purely and simply its course, the feathers cease to fall, tin* plumage tightens when, on the contrary. it should get loose. Fanciers who do not daily look after their birds have the custom of cutting the ends of the tail and the last wing Hights : that is quite right, hut they should only rut, the ends, of the feathers. not the quill. In cutting this, tliCv retard the fall of these feathers, which inu.st serve as the base of verification. Wo draw the attention of fanciers upon this point, for three-fourths of them cut the points of feathers and <1 uill permitting thus the air to communicate with the quill, which is the essence of the feather. As soon ns you see. the first symptoms of the moult, remove the nest pans and only leave the perches. Directly the moult, appears the pigeon does not race or breed any more.' Tt should be left iV> the most absolute repose. Know that it is according to the manner of its* moulting that its success will depend for the following year. Tf you wise to shine in the racee commence at- once t,o carefully watch them.