THE PIGEON BOOK 149 



existence to Belgian fanciers. True, they imported from 

 England some of our best and strongest Carriers and 

 Dragons when they were used for work ; but for genera- 

 tion after generation the Belgians have bred and trained 

 racing pigeons on the principle of the survival of the 

 fittest, and their intelligence has been so highly developed 

 that it is impossible to say what distances they will not 

 be eventually able to cover, and with what rapidity. 



One of the finest long-distance performances in Eng- 

 land was accomplished in the National Race from 

 Mirande, in 1908, when Mr. J. Wones' winner flew the 

 distance of 634 miles at a velocity of 940 yards per 

 minute. This is only an example of what can be done 

 by a well-conditioned, good racing pigeon. 



I shall be probably underestimating the number of 

 fanciers, when I say that there are from 50,000 to 

 60,000 keen enthusiasts racing each week. 



Success in long-distance racing depends upon the 

 physique of the birds and the ascendency must be good ; 

 that is to say, the birds descended from a winning strain 

 of racers. 



Once a fancier possesses the strain, then success depends 

 upon the care, study, and attention bestowed on them by 

 him. 



Comfort, happiness, and a good home are amongst the 

 chief inducements for a bird to return quickly. 



Beans, tares, and maple peas are the best grains for 

 racers. 



It takes at least three years for a racer to develop. 

 Their training can safely be commenced at three months 

 old, or when they have moulted three flight-feathers. 

 The young bird should be trained at the following stages : 

 one mile, two miles, five miles, ten miles, twenty, thirty, 

 forty-five, sixty, seventy-five and one hundred miles. 



