Bands with the letters "AU" (sometimes in monogram form so that 

 they are misread "AJ") are used by the American Racing Pigeon Union, 

 present secretary, Edward Barnes, 214 Congress St. , Jersey City, N. J. 



Bands with the letters "IF" are issued by the International Federa- 

 tion of Homing Pigeon Fanciers, present secretary, A. T. Nelson, 2924 

 Northern Parkway, Baltimore, Md. 



Bands carrying the letters "NPA" are issued by the National Pigeon 

 Association, secretary, Harry B. Baldwin, Box 502, Kansas City, Mo. 

 These last are used only on fancy show pigeons, not on racing homers. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR CONTROL 



Avoidance and Prevention 



An objectionable flock of pigeons is often the direct result of un- 

 intentional encouragement. A church tower may serve as an ideal nesting 

 loft for dozens of the birds, or certain ledges protected by overhanging 

 eaves may attract a daily flock that has reached undesirable proportions. 

 Likewise, promiscuous feeding of poultry in open yards may serve as a 

 potent incentive for pigeons to stay. 



The logical cure for troubles of this kind is to remove the induce- 

 ment, if possible. Church towers, lofts, and belfries can be screened 

 with rust-proof wire, poultry runs can be covered, and under some con- 

 ditions ledges can be obliterated by installing sloping boards to prevent 

 the birds from roosting. Individual crannies used as nesting sites can 

 often be blocked so as to prevent the entrance of birds. Although the 

 cost of screening may at first seem excessive, the results are practically 

 permanent. The screen used should be galvanized and should consist of 2- 

 inch-mesh poultry wire. In areas where starlings may also be objectionable, 

 1-inch-mesh poultry wire should be used. 



Frightening Devices 



Frightening measures are effective usually in proportion to the more 

 drastic measures that accompany them. Noise-producing devices, which may 

 also be disturbing to human beings, usually have little permanent effect 

 on roosting pigeons that are accustomed to the varied noises of cities. 

 Lights are of little avail. Slingshots, with pebbles for missiles, may 

 be used to advantage on small groups of roosting pigeons, provided the 

 birds are disturbed nightly as they are going to roost. Most attempts to 

 dislodge roosting birds through the use of slingshots or other means de- 

 pend for their success on the persistence with which the operations are 

 carried on. These must be continued until the birds have definitely re- 

 established themselves at some other point, 



Vhere more birds are involved, the city fire department may be in- 

 duced to cooperate. Turning a stream of water from a fire hose on the 

 roosts for several successive nights may lead the bird6 to decide that 

 conditions are not to their liking. 



