Utility and Economy of Birds 



4.1. 19), In the Franco- Prussian War of 1870 

 they were extensively used, and in the South 

 African War of 1899-1902 they were also 

 employed. Owing to the advent of wireless 

 telegraphy it was decided by the Admiralty, 

 in 1918, that the Naval Pigeon Service was 

 obsolete, and the Government PIGEONS were 

 therefore disposed of (Referee, 22.xii.i8). 

 At the beginning of the war the British 

 authorities took a characteristic course in 

 dealing with these birds. They ordered the 

 internment, or destruction, of all PIGEONS 

 along the coast; Thousands of lives of men 

 depended upon the reversal of that edict, 

 and upon the use, instead of slaughter, of the 

 birds. The mine-sweepers were the first to 

 realise the existence of a means of communi- 

 cation possible where all others failed, and 

 an emergency Pigeon Service was established 

 through private owners by means of which 

 mine-sweepers were enabled to send informa- 

 tion to shore of large minefields newly laid 

 and other dangers of the sea (Bird Notes 

 and News, vol. viii. p. 25). Gradually it was 

 recognised that PIGEONS would prove of great 



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