298 Animal Life 
winds in wrong directions, you will see how remarkably fast is this little bird. It 
is, indeed, very interesting to follow the influence of the direction and force of the 
wind on the flight of the bird. The normal speed of a homer during calm weather, 
and for minor distances, 1s about 1,200 yards a minute; whereas, with a breeze 
favourable to the bird, it may attaim a speed of over 1,500 yards. If the wind 
becomes strong and rises into a storm, blowing in the right direction, the bird’s 
rate of speed may be 2,000 yards. On the contrary, we find that a bird flying 
against the wind will attain a velocity of only 900 yards, and if the wind increases, 
so much lower will go the average. As a rule it would be correct to say that 
the wind, according as its direction is favourable or the reverse, may be counted upon 
to the extent of one-half its speed for effect, helpful or otherwise, on the average 
speed of the homer. 
Now for a few facts with reference to the height at which our birds fly. During 
fine weather, and with a south or east wind, the pigeon usually attains a height of 
130 to 160 yards, and under a north or west wind 110 to 140 yards. If there is 
rain with a north or east wind, the bird will, of course, fly near the ground; but 
if rain comes with a south or west breeze, the pigeon flies high, say 160 to 190 
yards, and it usually reaches the former figure in calm, clouded weather. Again, if 
the weather is clear and calm, the bird flies at a great height, sometimes, say, 
between 250 and 320 yards. 
Authentic records of work done by these pigeons are numerous, but I have only 
Space to give a few of the achievements of the magnificent pigeon whose portrait 
is reproduced on the preceding page. She is a dark-blue chequer hen, “ Lytham 
Wonder” by name, and is the property of, and was bred by, Mr. D. Hedges, of Lytham, 
Lancashire, who, by-the-bye, is also the photographer. When one year old this pigeon 
flew from Bordeaux to Lytham, a distance of 622 miles, in the National Flying 
Club race, and it thus holds the record for the longest distance flown into England 
by a yearling bird. She has also flown from Bournemouth to Lytham, a distance 
of 409 miles. 
Photugraph by C. Re 
N 
id, Wishaw. 
HOMER PIGEONS. 
