282 
The Illustrated Book of Plgeoxs. 
block, with the feather to be marked between the two upright wires, which will thus keep off 
the other feathers, and, holding the bird in one hand, stamp with the other before it raises 
its wing off the block. The marks must of course be renewed as the feathers are thrown in 
the moult. 
“ The work of training is certainly somewhat arduous, and oftentimes discouraging ; but it 
must be gone through in one way or another if the birds are ever to do any long distance or to race 
for any distance at all ; and on the subject of racing I will next touch. It will be well, perhaps, at 
this point, to inquire what has been done in Belgium as regards pigeon racing, before considering 
the sport as it at present endeavours to exist in England. 
“It was in the year 1818, M. Chapuis says, that the first race of any note took place, by 
certain amateurs of Herve sending their birds to Frankfort-on-the-Main. And about 1820 a bird 
flew from Paris, carrying off the first prize in the race ; and such was the homage paid to the winner, 
that it was carried in state through the town, preceded by musicians, and followed by two small 
cannons, which were discharged at intervals to notify to the astonished inhabitants the passage of 
the victor. The amateurs of Verviers sent their birds to London in 1823, and the fact of their 
return is well authenticated. Then followed a race from Lyons, which was at that time considered 
a very long distance indeed. The birds used to be sent to neighbouring towns in a cart hired for 
the purpose, upon which hoops were placed, and these were covered with some waterproof material, 
the birds inside being provided with perches, food, and water, were not so badly off, I think. 
Gradually the Societies grew, and, as the means of transit improved, longer distances were 
reached, until, at the present time, every town in Belgium has many Societies, and almost each 
village has at least one. The King and the Count of Flanders each subsidise the Societies by 
giving prizes, as do also the communal authorities. As before mentioned, the railways are 
under the control of the State, and special arrangements are made for the benefit of the pigeons 
and amateurs, so that they have every facility and encouragement, including a clear atmosphere 
and a flat country. 
“In order to have the old birds in good condition for the long races in July and August, they 
endeavour to retard the moult as much as possible, and this they do by keeping the birds on short 
commons during the winter and early spring. The birds thus begin to lay late, are breeding late, 
and moult late ; but they are careful that the birds should not weaken themselves by allowing 
them to rear too many young ; and the young of these birds being valuable, the usual course is to 
change the young with a pair of common birds, giving the two good ones to the common parents, 
and placing not more than one of the common squeakers under the good birds. With reference to 
the speed of the birds in the Belgian races, M. Chapuis gives the results of twenty-one races. The 
particulars of the four showing the highest speed attained are given below : — 
Society. 
To 
From 
Date. 
Yards per Minute. 
Ilirondelle 
Dison 
Blois 
3rd June, 1S60 
1,772 
St. Esprit 
Verviers 
Chatellerault 
1 6th July, 1856 
1.449 
Ufiion et Progr£s 
Brussels 
Chateauroux 
5th July, 1857 
1.443 
Dinantaise 
Dinant 
Paris 
2 1st June, 1857 
1,422 
“ We may compare the above with the average speed attained during 1874 and 1875, and the 
comparison will be interesting, as showing whether or not any advance has been made in the 
capabilities of individual birds. 
“ The winning birds in the various races flown on the dates given in the following table 
