96 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



trap-shooting holds a higher rank in our na- 

 tional sports than ever before. 



Pigeon Flying 



Of all the sports, however, in which both men 

 and domestic pigeons take part, pigeon flying or 

 racing is far in the lead. It is a form of recrea- 

 tion favorably regarded by the people of all na- 

 tions. There is not a country in Europe where 

 pigeon flying does not meet with approval. The 

 Eigyptians, the Italians, the Turks, the French, 

 the British, and the Germans all take part. 



But it is to Belgium that the world owes the true 

 beginnings of the sport and its development to 

 the present high state of accomplishment. The 

 Belgians bred the racers and are still doing so. 

 They were the first people to take advantage of 

 new strains reared in other countries, and, by 

 crossing and selection, produced the celebrated 

 Belgian strain of homer which has become the ba- 

 sis of all modem breeds of fliers. The recognized 

 national sport of Belgium is pigeon flying, and the 

 flying homer is the king of all fliers, its national 

 sporting product. 



Let us be sure that we understand what true 

 pigeon flying is. It may be defined as racing with 

 pigeons. It consists of flying one bird against 

 another or several over a course of measured 



