File:Bits of bird life (1895) (14565833579).jpg

Identifier: bitsofbirdlife00unse (find matches)
Title: Bits of bird life
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors:
Subjects: Birds
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : Perry Mason & Co.

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ing-place must be kept in acondition of order and cleanliness. The practical working of this Aerial Messenger service issimple. The birds are accustomed to being handled, and arenot dismayed when some of their number are taken from theloft, placed in a wicker hamper, and carried by the railroadto New York. Indeed, as some of them are always kept on hand at theirowners city office, they are habituated to this experience,and remain with apparent contentment in temporaryseclusion. While thus waiting for duty, their food and water arerestricted to a minimum. When a message is to be entrustedto them, it is written out on a piece of very thin paper aboutthree inches square. This is folded lengthwise into narrowcompass, and one of the birds being taken from the hamper,the strip of paper is firmly attached to one of its tail feathersby means of a piece of fine wire. A vigorous pull is always given to the feather to make surethat it is not loose. Then a window is opened, and the birdlet loose.
Text Appearing After Image:
THE CARRIER-PIGp:0N IN AMERICA. 37 Instantly gaining its wings, it rises above the lofty build-ings of the city, and without hesitation, strikes out in thedirection of its home in New Jersey. In from forty minutes to an hour the little messenger fromWall Street alights at its cote in the country. The entrancehas a light swinging-door, which the bird easily pushesaside. In its desire for food and a bath after its long flight,it usually wastes no time in entering. The door has an electrical attachment which signals theappearance of a bird by ringing a bell in the mansion. Someone at once goes to the pigeon loft, captures the newlyarrived messenger, and relieves it of the note it carried. In this way the master of the establishment can be keptby his partners and clerks fully informed of what is going onin the city. Each bird in the service bears on its leg a light brass ring,upon which its number is inscribed. A careful record is keptof each trip a bird makes, and of the time it requires

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