THE WORKING HOMER 
By H. KENDRICK, JR. 
Photograph by C, Reid, Wishaw, 
TYN\HE reason why a Homer, more than any other pigeon, is able to find its way 
back to its home from a great distance has been a vexed question for a very 
long time. Many pigeon men have decided to leave the matter severely alone, but 
others have formed theories on the point, with more or Jess truth in all of them, and 
taken in bulk we find that practically all agree that two characteristics which this bird 
possesses account for its homing proclivities. The two are—extraordinary instinct com- 
bined with powerful vision, the one quite necessary to, in fact almost useless without, 
the other. Prior to being tossed at a great distance, a homer is first of all traimed 
for several short stages, all leading in the direction of the final goal, and it is here that 
its sight is so useful. It is stated, and with a good show of reason, that on a clear 
day and from a good height on the wing, a pigeon ‘can see a very long distance, 
some say even as far as seventy miles. Supposing thé pigeon were tossed fifty mules 
from home, it would recognise, after some preliminary circling, the surroundings of its 
loft, and soon get home. The next stage might be one hundred miles, and here, on 
being tossed and circling round, the pigeon would probably see some land mark 
which its instinct would reveal as being close to the spot at which it was previously 
liberated. On regaining this part of the country, a few more circles would show it 
the points of vantage round its home. Thus does the homer. fly and return to its 
loft from sometimes incredible distances. 
The next point, however, now presents itself. How are this homing instinct and 
keenness of vision developed? The answer is simple. ‘They are developed by diligent 
training and weeding out. The working homer is a difficult pigeon to define. Although 
at present it is a distinct and separate variety, the question of colour, and even of 
breed, would not trouble an owner’s mind for a minute provided only the bird could 
“home.” This is the only qualification necessary. A good flyer is smart to look at. 
Tt has a fiery, untamed appearance; it 1s as ‘“‘hard as nails”; that is, its feathers are 
close and trim, and when handled the birds feel perfectly firm. Such birds are 
subjected to the most stringent training and weeding out, and by these means is a 
loft of excellent working homers obtained. 
296 
