HOMING PIGEONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 845, 13 December 1929, Page 13

HOMING PIGEONS

DOMINION FEDERATION OLD BIRD RACE The New Zealand Homing Pigeon Federation flew its annual old bird race, 300 miles or over, for the Patterson Challenge Cup on November 23. Thirteen clubs from all over New Zealand —Hikurangi in the Far North to Dunedin—accepted, with 151 birds. The birds flying from south to north had a slight advantage, as there was a light south-westerly breeze right through the flying areas. Unfortunately there was a thick fog in Cook Strait, and four clubs, viz., Dunedin, Oamaru, Manunui ancl Napier, were badly handicapped. None of these clubs reported in race time. Christchurch birds, liberated from the Bluff, owing to some misunderstanding with tho liberator, were let go one hour after time ancl consequently their results could not be included. Otherwise the race was most successful and resulted in Parsons Bros., of Hikurangi, gaining first place, with F. Pool, Masterton, second, and E. Carvell, Wanganui, third. Parsons Bros, hold the Patterson Cup for 12 months, the Federation donating a miniature cup. The federation young bird Derby is set down for March 29 —100 miles or over. Velocities for tho old bird race are given below, the speed being given in yards a minute: Parsons Bros.’ (Hikurangi), Spitfire, 1,039.27, 1; F. Pool’s (Masterton), Dark Japan, 1,010.6, 2; E. Carvell’s (Wanganui) Dreamy, 1,010.2, 3; E. Carvell’s (Wanganui) Mosaic, 1,009.9, 4; N. C. Barstow’s (Wanganui) 197, 1,006.1; . Longworth’s (Masterton) Eagle, 1,005.2; C. Carter’s (Petone), Honour, 995.36; W. Smith’s (Petone) Betty, 995.31; W. Whittington’s (Petone), Lady Limerick, 994.3; W. Asplett’s (Petone), Spotlight, 993.41; C. Culshaw’s (Petone) 38, 993.4; C. Carter’s (Petone) Peggy, 993.1; J. Wood’s (Petone), 121, 992.7; IT. Hall’s (Petone) Redstone, 992.5; W. Whittington’s (Petone) Miss Remiss, 957.1; H. Newby’s (Hikurangi) Tea Time, 985.37; T. lnkpen’s (Manawatu), Gloaming, 954.3: P. Wills’s (Manawatu) King Peter, 953.65; J. Priest’s (Wellington) 402, 941.6; L. Rosemergv’s (Wanganui) 314, 941.6; E. Carvell’s (Wanganui) Star Queen, 941.2; A. Stuart’s (Manawatu) Sir Osman, 941.14; A. Priddle’s (Wellington) Frill, 940; H. Murphy’s (Wellington) 37, 936.3; F. Collins’s (Wellington) Sonny Jim, 903.5; A. Malcolmson’s (Feilding) Jenny "Vee, 904.2; G. Malcolmson’s (Wanganui) Buster Harrison, 903.9; A. Malcolmson’s (Feilding) Gold King, 902.7; A. Burnett (Wanganui) Certainty, 831.3: J. Dow’s (Wanganui) Scotch Lass, 529.5; J. Patterson’s (Wanganui)* ITpoko. S2S.I; C. Willacy’s (Wanganui) Reliable, 825.3. Also started: —Dunedin, Oamaru, Christchurch, Manunui, Napier and Levin. UNIQUE PERFORMANCE It is generally supposed that the homing pigeon does not fly at night, and many fanciers hold that the birds find their way home more by their lceen faculties of perception than by their locality instinct. This theory however, was exploded on Tuesday night, when two Onehunga racing pigeons were inadvertently released at Mercer after dark and straightway found their way home. A box containing 7 birds was consigned at the Onehunga railway station on Tuesday afternoon to the stationmaster, at Mercer, with a request for ther prompt liberation. By some error, the box was sent by the main trunk express and on arrival at Mercer at 8.10 p.m., the birds were released instead of being held until daylight. Five of the pigeons did not reach home until Wednesday morning, having ' probably settled on trees or houses for the night. The other two, however, made for home in the' haze of moonlight. When their owner, Mr. W. Sargent, went out at 10.45 p.m. to lock his loft, he noticed two birds fluttering in the air above his garden. He accordinglyplaced a light in the loft and tliey at once flew in to their own perches. The performance of these birds, “Rosella" and "Lady Emily,” by name is regarded by members of the Onehunga Pigeon Club as unique. GOLF COMRADESHIP It is a sign of the comradeship existing in professional and amateur golf that the Oxford University Golf Club arranges an annual match with the leading professional players, who are entertained at the various colleges, but receive no pay for their services. I am convinced that the success achieved by American amateurs, especially so in the case of “Bobby” Jones, is due to their constant playing with professionals of the first rank, says a London writer. If British pmateurs did more in this way their golf would improve vastly. The idea of the Oxford match originated with J. M. Taylor, who had a son at the University. Taylor, junr.. himself a plus-two golfer at Royal MidSurrey, is now an English and Latin master at one of the big schools.