MODENESE FLYING PIGEONS. 221 



various flocks are trained to fly in any direction pointed out by 

 the flag of their owner; to fly to the highest tower of the 

 cathedral at a given signal; to mix with other flocks at 

 another; and at yet another to return home; the object of 

 each Triganiere being to call home all his own pigeons, with 

 as many as he can of those so mixed with them in the melee. 

 Each pigeon so captured is generally redeemed at the price of a 

 lira. It is also stated that some of these pigeons have been 

 trained to be sent out of the city on messages; and that 

 generally they obey the strictest discipline in feeding and other 

 respects ; coming to the owner's shoulder or finger at the word 

 of command, and eating out of any one of the feeding- vessels 

 designated by him. If the former statement be true, it reverses 

 the ordinary method of sending messages by homing birds ; but 

 in any case the obedience of the Modenese pigeons whilst in the 

 air to every command of their owner opens up a new and very 

 interesting chapter of the pigeon fancy. 



There is reason to believe that while the system of training 

 and flying these pigeons in Modena is very ancient, the present 

 variety is comparatively a modern creation. We take from 

 the German work of Dr. Baldamus the accompanying illustra- 

 tion of a " Magpie " Modenese pigeon, from which it will be 

 seen that the thighs and legs are long, the head carried high, 

 and in a brisk manner, and the beak stout, and rather short. 

 The tail is desired to be carried high, either horizontal or 

 slightly raised, and is longer than the flights. The marking in 

 this particular variety resembles that of the Nun in the head, 

 with coloured wings, flights, and tail : any artificially-coloured 

 bars are valued ; but black or brown bars are eschewed. Of 

 colour and markings there are, however, almost countless 

 varieties, the rarest being most esteemed 



