The Zoologist — September, 1874. 4157 



swallow perched on one of the rafters ; then a second one came and sang 

 this pretty little song, the first answered it, and the second went on trilling 

 out the notes that had sounded like those of the canary ; they seenaed to be 

 carrying on quite a conversation ; then both sang together, and finally flew 

 away. — C. B. Carey; August, 1874. 



Early Congregatioo of Martins. — On Sunday, August 9th, I saw a vast 

 congregation of martins, I suppose preparatory to their autumnal migration. 

 I can safely state there were many hundreds in the flight, and think 

 I should be safe in saying a thousand ; amongst them were two or three 

 sand martins, and perhaps a score or two of swallows. This I take to be 

 very early for the departure of the swallow tribe, but I think there can be 

 no doubt that they were collected for that purpose. On asking a man who 

 resides by the side of the pond, he told me they had been there " most of a 

 week," and that the telegraph-wire, which passes close by the pond, is 

 frequently laden with the birds, as close as they can sit, for more than a 

 quarter of a mile in length. — Stei^lien Clogg ; Looe, August 17, 1874. 



Press Carrier Pigeous. — One of the most curious incidents connected 

 with modern journalism is the regular employment of carrier pigeons in 

 collecting inteUigence for the daily and weekly newspapers. In the com- 

 petitive exertions to procure the " latest intelligence," it has been found that 

 for short distances newspaper reports can be sent readier, cheaper and 

 quicker by press carrier pigeons, flying a mile per minute, than by the 

 postal telegraph. These aerial postmen are entrusted to resident corre- 

 spondents in various places, ready to be despatched at any moment, whilst 

 others are sent out by reporters to places where important events are tran- 

 spiring. It is now no uncommon thing to see reporters at police courts, 

 inquests, public meetings, &c., despatch foHo after folio of "copy" by press 

 carrier pigeons tossed through the nearest window, or thrown out of a train 

 or steamer going at full speed. The attachment of these birds to the place 

 of their birth, and their ability to find their homes from marvellous distances, 

 are of course their distinguishing characteristics. A " columbier," or home, 

 is established at the various newspaper ofiices, and whenever a bird arrives 

 with a message, the act of the pigeon entering its cot sets a call-bell ringing 

 in the editor's room, the bell machinery continuing in motion until attended 

 to. Being expressly bred for press purposes — conveying news to our great 

 cities — they are not the pure carrier pigeon (which is larger, heavier and 

 slower on the wing, and not so well adapted for press purposes) ; but are of 

 a special pedigree, bred by Messrs. Hartley and Sons, of the 'Woolwich 

 Gazette,' Woolwich, from prize birds imported from the best lofts of Antwerp, 

 Brussels and Liege, all " producteurs " being rejected which have not won 

 a three-hundred mile " concours." Press carrier pigeons owe their origin 

 to Darwin's principle of " natural selection," or the " survival of the fittest." 

 In the struggle for life in connection with the compulsory flying of long 

 SECOND SERIES — VOL. IX. 2 Z 



