HOMING BIRDS. 87 



The best are clean-legged birds, but occasionally they are to be seen with 

 feathered legs ; but these are probably cross-bred. Two birds will fly together as 

 well as a flock, which I do not think is generally the case with Tumblers." 



Dr. Chappuis, a Belgian physician, has published a long treatise on the 

 management, rearing, and training of the Homing pigeons that are flown so 

 extensively in Belgium. The treatise contains much information that is valuable 

 alike to the naturalist and to the pigeon fancier. 



The following is an abstract of the chapter on the training of these birds. 

 It will be seen that the methods adopted by the Belgian fanciers differ from those 

 followed in England, the training being more sudden and severe. All experienced 

 amateurs agree with Dr. Chappuis in the desirability of not overworking the birds 

 when young, and of using the old birds only for long flights : — 



" In training young pigeons to fill up the vacancies left by the loss or death of the 

 old ones, it is desirable to allow them to make several trial flights. Though a 

 pigeon at first sight may appear good, it may, nevertheless, have some defect 

 which renders it unfitted for the purpose for which it is designed. By observation 

 we can tell whether the wings of a young pigeon are well formed, but we cannot 

 thus learn whether it has good sight, or whether its faculties are well developed ; 

 whereas the first trial to which the bird is subjected will satisfy us on these 

 points. 



"A pigeon two or three months old, counting from the time when it leaves the 

 nest, may be able to perform the journeys ; but it is preferable to wait till it is five 

 or six months old ; and, in practice, it is the pigeons hatched in March, April, and 

 May which are subjected to these trials, which take place towards the end of 

 August, or in September. A first flight of five to eight miles is flown ; the 

 second, three or four days after, will be double the length. In this manner, in 

 five or six trials, a distance varying from 150 to 180 miles will be arrived at as the 

 length of the flight. 



" These trials are amply sufficient, for the incapable pigeons will be lost on the 

 road. The best will have shown their rapidity and excellence. A bird in training, 

 which even in good condition has allowed itself to be constantly distanced, ought 

 not to be kept, although it is possible that it may improve ; as it happens some- 

 times that a pigeon for several years does not distinguish itself, and all at once 

 gains several successes. A good deal is often said about these exceptions, but 

 in general the best birds may be chosen after the early trials. A very good 

 pigeon shows its superiority as well in its youth as at a more advanced age. 

 In preserving very ordinary pigeons, the race ia not being perfected. 



" In certain localities young pigeons are more severely exercised in trials which 

 commence from the month of July ; these increase progressively in difficulty, till 

 at last the pigeons are made to fly from 300 to 400 miles. That this manner of 

 acting, by multiplying the number of contests, augments the pleasure, is incontes- 

 table ; but that the breed becomes the better for it is very doubtful. A pigeon 

 does not come to full strength till it is three years old. If in its youth it has been 



