The Feather's Practical Pigeon Boojv 



of all the praise they receive. Care needs to be used 

 not to "over-train," as it is called, or' otherwise riot to 

 call upon your birds to make long-distance flies too fre- 

 quently and so overtax their strength. But while re- 

 cuperating from their fifty ^nd loo-mile flights, for in- 

 stance, they need daily exer^se, .which should be given 

 twice each day, morning and afternoon. In this way 

 they are more apt to fly high and circle wide than 

 though entire freedom through the day were given 

 them. 



These flights can be encouraged by starting them off 

 and frequently waving a small flag attached to a long, 

 light pole, called by some fanciers a "flatterer." They 

 soon come to understand what this means, and will cir- 

 cle and mount to great heig'hts. By this means they be- 

 come thoroughly familiar with the landscape for miles 

 ground, and the exercise strengthens their muscles and 

 gives them the knowledge of localities that aids them 

 in their future long-distance flights. After flyiijg an 

 hour or so they should be allowed to alight, when they 

 will at once come into the loft for a drink. At this 

 time they should be given a little hemp, canary, or 

 coriander-seed, and have their morning or evening feed. 

 This answers as a reward and as a stimulus to return 

 home. A hungry bird, like a hungry horse, when 

 turned towards home, has not only the love of home 

 to encourage, but the knowledge that plenty of good 

 food and water is to be found there when that home is 

 reached. Birds trained and exercised in this manner 

 are always active, alert, and strong. Naturally it makes 

 them a little wild, but this is no detriment to a Homer, 

 this very feature being an advantage, as it makes them 

 cautious of dangers and watchful for enemies while on 

 the wing. 



104 



