THE PIGEON BOOK 151 



because you can punish a big pigeon more than you can 

 a small one in the way of having them a bit hungry on 

 the day of the race. If the wind is blowing hard against 

 them, you will find that the big pigeon is the best, but if 

 the wind is behind them, I would just as soon fly a small 

 pigeon, as there is not much difference with the wind 

 behind them. 



To get the pigeons fit and well before putting them to 

 work, you must give them plenty of exercise flying at 

 home, and a little linseed about a week before commencing 

 to train them, and the day I start training them I have 

 my birds a bit sharp, taking care not to give them too 

 much food the day before I start training, so that my 

 bird will down well when he gets to his loft. This is a very 

 important item, and another very important one is to get 

 your bird to go straight away from the race point, so it is 

 best not to give it too big a toss at the first training stage, 

 that is to say, about half a mile, and not to shift from 

 that point until your bird goes straight away. On no 

 account shift your bird from his last training-point should 

 there be a change in the wind. That is to say, if he 

 has the wind behind him, do not shift him with wind 

 against him. Having had the wind behind him, it is 

 likely to cause it to turn round, and if the pigeon gets in 

 this habit, he will not win you many races, as a pigeon 

 that loses time at start, or at getting down, has not much 

 chance in two, three, or five mile races. Your pigeon must 

 get away well, and get down well at home, and if he has 

 flying ability, he will win races for you. 



After I have had my pigeons at the race point, I always 

 make it a practice to have two trials with them, 

 one about seven or eight days before the race, and the 

 other about three or four 'days. My reason for having 

 the two trials is because I like to find out which is my best 



