FANCIERS JOURNAL AND POULTRY EXCHANGE. 
719 

flying birds in the world. With a population of about 125, 
000 inhabitants, counts at least one hundred clubs or socie- 
ties, for the flying and racing of pigeons. 
Here in the United States there are not, or never have 
been, any such clubs or societies in existence to my knowl- 
edge; for the reason, I suppose, that the question was never 
agitated in this country, and also that the pure breed of 
Antwerps have been very scarce here. It is true thata good 
many birds were imported from England under the name 
of Antwerps, but when their flying qualities were tested in 
an insignificant race of a few miles, their Antwerp name 
left them, and their English qualities were not sufficient to 
fetch them home. I have been writing a few articles for the 
Bulletin, as well as extracts out of two Belgian papers de- 
voted solely to the pigeon fancy, in which the racing from 
the different clubs were explained, and in which I urged the 
fanciers to form such clubs to commence the flying of the 
birds here in this country. To my astonishment, my appeal 
has not been in vain. I have been receiving communica- 
tions almost daily from different parts of the United States, 
and also from Canada, with requests to explain to them 
about the breeding and training of these birds, and the 
best way to obtain the pure Antwerp breed, also in regard 
to the forming of such societies here. I have with pleasure 
explained to my correspondents all I know by an experience 
of over fifteen years that I was a fancier in Antwerp. 
As you are already aware we have formed a club, here in 
New York, under the name of the Flying Antwerp Club, 
of which I have been elected President; yourself, Mr. 
Wade, Vice-President; Mr. H. A. Brown,Cor. Secretary ; and 
Mr. I. B. Lathrop, Rec. Secretary. Next spring we will 
commence flying with the old birds, and in the month 
of August and part of September with the birds bred in 
1875. The concourses which our club propose, will be in- 
teresting next season, and I am sure, when once on a good 
footing, it will be received with great favor, as this kind of 
fancy is merely for amusement, while a good deal of the 
fancy breeding is done purely for interest. See what the 
Antwerp paper, of October 24, says: 
‘«The prize races for the year 1874 are all finished. The 
birds are going to enjoy their rest from the long and diffi- 
cult voyages which they have performed this year. Let us 
consider if the year 1874 must stand back for any former 
years. In regard to the races and the number of pigeons 
which have taken part therein, we can safely say that the 
year 1874 has done very well; also we can’state with satis- 
faction that the fancy in Antwerp and in the neighboring 
towns and villages has been increased considerably. The 
prizes of honor given have been numerous, and we will name 
a few which have been given by the following societies : 
‘From the eity of Chateaurouxs, 275 miles from Ant- 
werp, by the club called the Pilot House; from the city of 
Limages, 440 miles from Antwerp, by the club St. Hubert ; 
from the city of Vendome, 408 miles from Antwerp, by the 
club Pomme Grenade; from the city of Tours, 360 miles, by 
the same club. (These four prizes of honor were offered 
through the Confederated Pigeon Fanciers’ Club.) From 
the City of Tours, prize of honor given by the city author- 
ities of Antwerp in the club, The Pigeon Circle; from the 
city of Villeperdue, 365 miles, given by the club, The Prize 
Racer ; from the eity of Tours, 360 miles, by the club The 
’ United Liberals; from the city of Chartres, 255 miles, by 
the club The Swift Racing Bird, from the cities of An- 
gers, 890 miles; Nevers, 330 miles; Chataudun, 390 miles, 



by the club The Traveling Bird ; from the city of Limoges, 
440 miles, by the club The Crown; from the city of Angou- 
leme, 486 miles, by the club Good Arrival; from the city 
of Blois, 330 miles, by the club The Three Kings; from 
the city of Auxeme, 270 miles, by the club The Black Lion ; 
from the city of Paris, 210 miles, by the club St. Anna; 
from the city of Chartres, 255 miles, by the club The Star. 
‘« All the above distances are in a straight line. The 
three last named races were with young birds, bred in 1874. 
All the above cities are in France. 
‘‘We must thank the Corporation Counsel, of Antwerp, 
for their splendid money gift, which it has presented to the 
clubs for the buying of a prize of honor, for the race from 
the city of Tours. We cannot forget to give our thanks 
for the kindness of the members of the club of the United 
Liberals, to whom we must be grateful for the prizes of 
honor from the cities of Paris and Chartres. 
‘‘ As most all of the clubs here in Antwerp and the adja- 
cent villages have sent their birds by the Confederated 
Pigeon Club, we must wait for the annual statement 
which the direction generally sends to our paper, and from 
which we will know the total quantity of birds sent, and 
the amount of expenses that these transactions have cost. 
To conclude, we think that the pigeon shows which are 
going to take place, shortly, will give the fanciers occa- 
sion to assemble during the winter months, and to pass to- 
gether many happy hours.” 
As soon, Mr. Editor, as I receive the paper which con- 
tains the above statement, I will send you an extract of it; 
and I have no doubt that the amount of birds sent for 
racing, from Antwerp, will be considered as fabulous. 
To give the readers of your paper a faint idea how this 
pleasure of racing pigeons is carried on in Belgium, I will 
reproduce the statement of a Confederate Club of a small 
town. It says: 
‘¢ Mr. Epiror: I think that your readers will note with 
interest the following communication which I have the 
honor to transmit to you: 
‘You have often urged the clubs to confederate them- 
selves, to raise in this way the necessary means to send a 
messenger with the birds to take care of them during their 
transport; and to take away by these means the dangers of 
ordinary expeditions. Having followed your advice, I have 
the pleasure of transmitting to you the result of our send- 
ings for the season which has just closed. 
‘The confederation of the Basse Sambre has made in 1874, 
thirteen voyages in France—from Esquelinnes to Angou- 
leme—of which seven were this side of Paris, and six on 
the other side. These thirteen carriages have consisted, 
of 768 baskets, which contained on an average thirty 
birds each, or a total of 22,890 pigeons, and which have 
cost us for freight, conveyance, and feed, 1025 francs, 45 
centimes ($205.09) ; or, on an average, four and a half cen- 
times (about two cents) for each bird. 
“« It seems to me, in regard to this result, that this price is 
accessible to the most moderate purses ; and that the fanciers 
who care anything for their winged travelers, cannot but 
take part in a confederation. 
‘The President of the confederation of the Basse Sambre, 
F. VANDEN BRANDE.”’ 
The paper of October 11th says :— 
“NEw YorK, UNITED STATES of America. 
‘¢The colombophelic sport propagates itself. A certain 
