CHAPTER VI 



THE HOMING INSTINCT 



' Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times. And 

 the turtle and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their 

 coming." — Jeremiah. 



THE homing habit enters so largely into the training 

 of dispatch-carrying dogs, that the instructor will 

 find it of interest, and of assistance, to make some investi- 

 gations into this subject. 



This instinct in the dog teems with interest, not only 

 on account of the wonderful results to be obtained by its 

 exercise, but also because it is one, which man does not 

 possess himself in anything like the same degree. How 

 is it that the dog, without any of the material aids of 

 direction open to man, can find his way homewards, across 

 totally unknown country ? How is it that the Messenger 

 Dog, which has been taken up to the front line, through 

 the trenches, will choose very often to return by night, 

 as well as day, and do so successfully, across the open 

 country, often with every sort of obstacle in its path ? 

 What is it that guides it ? It cannot be sight, or darkness 

 would be an insuperable hindrance, and they work as well 

 at night as by day. It cannot be hearing, nor is it by 

 the sense of scent, as the dog does not necessarily choose 

 the same route for its return, even in the doubtful and 

 in most cases impossible likelihood of there being any trail. 



163 11* 



