MUCH-TRAVELLED PIGEON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 4

MUCH-TRAVELLED PIGEON.

HAS COVERED OVER 5900 MILES,

In connection with the pigeon race from the Three Kings to Wellington, the first ofliecr of the s.s. Victoria has notified the secretary of tho Wellington Homing Pigeon Society, that tho birds were liberated on January 9 at 11.30,' a.m. in Latitude 31 degrees 19 minutes south, Longitude 172 degrees 10 minutes east. The weather was fine at the tiino of liberation, and the birds followed the boat for nearly three-quarters of an hour before making-oil in a south-easterly direction. So far only two birds liavo arrived home, Mr. A. Clark's Daystar being reported at 4 p.m. on January 23, and Mr. Elliott's Endeavour -l few hours laU'r. Tho bad weather, prevailing for tho first three days after liberation is no doubt responsible for the poor returns. Daystar was bred in 1905, and was raced from Waipawa (135 miles); in 1908 he was raced from New Plymouth (IGO miles); in 1907 lie won —first. Hmitorville (100 miles), first Auckland (30S miles); first Russell (4-10 miles), and third Pareuga (480 miles); in 1908 he won—Second Auckland and first l'arenga; in 1909 ho won—Second, third, and fourth from Auckland, and also flew Russell and I'arenga; in 1910 he was first, second, and unplaced from Auckland; in 1911 ho was "trained" fifty miles, and then sent to the Three Kings (about 530 miles). In races aJone he has flown over 5900 miles. Mr. Elliott's Endeavour was bred in 1908, and was raced from Wnipaira; in 1909 lie was raced through to Auckland; in 1910 ho went as far as Russell (getting fifth from tho last-named place ; and in 1911 ho was raoed from Auckland, Paronga, and the Three Kings.