THE BIRD WORLD. 
The 
Racing Pigeon. 
(79) 
The Speed of the Homer. 
The speed of the Homing Pigeon is a most 
interesting study. I could give numerous in¬ 
stances of enormous speeds, but must be con¬ 
tented with a few. On June 24th, 1888, at 
Perigeaux, a concours organised by the fanciers 
of Paris, the rate of speed per minute of the 
first ten pigeons was 1,202 yards, and on the 
30th September of the same year, in rainy 
weather, the fly from Lille to Paris was at the 
rate of 1,378 yards per minute. When you care¬ 
fully study these speeds, and remember that they 
approximate the speed of an express train, also 
considering the great amount of air-resistance 
and the prevalence of high winds in wrong 
directions, you will see how remarkably fast 
the little bird is. 
The Wind as a Factor. 
The wind has enormous power, and affects 
racing pigeons very considerably. The normal 
speed of a Homer during calm weather and for 
minor distances is about 1,200 yards a minute, 
whereas with a breeze favourable to the bird, 
they may attain a speed of over 1,500 yards. If 
the wind becomes strong and rises into a storm, 
a: the same time blowing in the right direction, 
the speed may be 2,000 yards. On the contrary, 
we find that a bird flying against the wind will 
attain a velocity of only 900, and the higher the 
wind in the wrong quarter, naturally the lower 
the rate of speed. 
I could go on writing on this, my pet subject, 
for a very long time, but the Editor’s warning 
has to be obeyed, and if I have, by these few 
lines, engendered any interest in the matter, then 
I have performed my mission, and I may have 
an opportunity later on of enlarging on the 
Racing Pigeon for the benefit of interested 
readers. 
FEBRUARY 14 is the BIRDS’ WEDDING DAY. 
HOW BIRDS PROPOSE 
Six Artistic Postcards showing the positions of some familiar 
British Birds in courting poses. Specially drawn by well-known 
artists for the Publisher, Mr. F. Finn. 
Price 6d. per Set. 
F. CARL, 154, FLEET STREET, LONDON, E.C. 
The Dipper, or Water-Ouzel. 
