DOMESTIC PIGEONS 249 



an increase of about ten miles. The steps may then be 

 increased more rapidly. All this liberation should be in one 

 direction, an ample demonstration of the fact that instinct 

 alone is not sufficient to take the birds home. After the 100- 

 mile point has been reached, quality begins to assert itself, 

 and the individuals which remain when the final 600 or 700 

 flies are made will represent the very cream of the flock. 

 Beyond this distance competition flies are not customary, 

 but considerably longer ones, some well authenticated, have 

 been recorded for single birds. Mr. John Fischer, National 

 Race Secretary of the International Federation of American 

 Homing Pigeon Fanciers, informs the writer that a Homer 

 belonging to a Mr. Brouillette in 1916 flew from Denver, 

 Colorado, to Springfield, Massachusetts, a distance of 

 1,689.44 miles. Twenty-two days and three hours were 

 required to accomplish this feat. 



The velocity at which Homers fly is of much interest, as 

 it throws some light on the question of how fast birds in 

 general travel, particularly during migration. Mr. Fischer 

 is authority for the statement that in 1900 a Homing 

 Pigeon owned by Mr. William J. Lantz flew 100 miles at 

 the rate of 2,511.87 yards, or nearly one and one-half miles, 

 per minute. This is considerably faster than the more recent 

 estimates of the speed at which most wild birds fly, at least 

 for similar distances. 



A great number of societies are devoted to the culture 

 of the Flying Homer, training and competition flies being 

 held in unison. Of recent years birds which have flown 

 specified distances are exhibited at shows, divided into 

 classes which accord with achievements on the wing. 



When a message is to be carried, it is written on very 

 thin paper and inserted in a small metal tube, which is 

 attached to a leg or a central tail feather of the bird. In 

 the days which preceded the appearance of modern methods 



