20 



COLUMBIDiE. 



same day, and the match was over early next day, when the 

 winner of the two hundred and eighth, or last prize, was sent 

 to the club for identification. The return of these birds is 

 not unfrequently spoken of as a peculiar manifestation of 

 instinct, but it depends upon observation and power of 

 flight ; and the best bred birds will be lost if they are taken 

 untrained 100 miles from home. In this island, where the 

 cloudier state of the atmosphere interferes greatly with the 

 view of the birds, distances equal to those on the Continent 

 have not been accomplished, but races are regularly organized, 

 and this year several have been successfully flown from 

 Cherbourg, Arras, St. Queutin, &c., to all parts of England. 

 " The utilization of Homing pigeons in the conveyance of 

 letters microscopically reduced, from Tours to Paris during 

 the siege of 1870-71, is well known ; and birds are now 

 reared by both Germans and French in all those fortresses 

 which are liable to be beleaguered in time of war. In 

 England the Trinity House have utilized them in carrying 

 messages from the light-ships, and they are also being 

 employed by the Government on some of the Indian 

 stations." 





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