Part 4

FtM. Fort Monmouth 4CA 4th Corps Area 4th SC 4th Service Command 7th SC 7th Service Command 8CA 8th Corps Area 8th SC 8th Service Command 9th SC 9th Service Command CZ Canal Zone HT Territory of Hawaii PI Philippine Islands ML Mobile Loft C Combat PR Puerto Rico SC Signal Corps TH Territory of Hawaii

_b._ In addition to the banded pigeons bred and owned by the United States Army, there are those of the United States Navy, and two large national associations of civilian pigeon fanciers, the American Racing Pigeon Union and the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers, as well as those of numerous smaller organizations. The following examples illustrate the character of the legends used on the bands:

USN 32 492 AU 28 EC 1245 IF 27 C 6700

_c._ When banded pigeons are lost in flight, their band markings are listed on the Monthly Pigeon Loft Report (par. 27 _e_).

_d._ Each loft is authorized to use various colored, spiral, celluloid leg bands for special identification purposes. For example, all pigeons in a particular compartment of each loft may be fitted with celluloid bands of the same color to facilitate keeping track of them. These bands, PG-15, are requisitioned in the following colors: red, yellow, green, light-blue, dark-blue, black, and pink.

29. Loft Equipment

_a._ T/O & E 11-39 prescribes the authorized allowances of nonexpendable pigeon equipment for signal pigeon companies and is the basis for requisition.

_b._ Army Service Forces Catalog SIG 4-1, Signal Supply Catalog, Allowances of Expendable Supplies, prescribes the authorized allowances of expendable items for signal pigeon companies and is the basis for requisition.

_c._ The basis for other pigeon units to requisition equipment and supplies depends upon the number of authorized pigeons they have and their particular needs.

_d._ Sufficient descriptive information of items must be indicated on the requisition to permit positive identification. All required information pertaining to allowances, supplies on hand, due in (on requisition), and basis for issue must be clearly stated on all requisitions submitted to the station signal property officer.

_e._ In general, the following items of supplies and equipment in varying numbers will meet normal requirements of pigeon lofts:

+--------------------+------+------------------------------- Stock No. | Requisition | Unit | Brief descriptive | nomenclature | of | nomenclature | |issue | ----------+--------------------+------+------------------------------- 9A315 | Band PG-15 | Ea |Pigeon, leg, marking, | (Assorted colors)| | celluloid. 9A315B | Band PG-15 | Ea | | (Light blue) | |_Note._ When specific colors 9A315BK | Band PG-15 | Ea | are required applicable | (Black) | | stock number should be 9A315DB | Band PG-15 | Ea | indicated on the requisition. | (Dark blue) | | 9A315G | Band PG-15 | Ea | | (Green) | | 9A315P | Band PG-15 | Ea | | (Pink) | | 9A315R | Band PG-15 | Ea | | (Red) | | 9A315Y | PG-15 | | 9A316 | Band PG-16 | Pr |Pigeon leg, identifying, | (Yellow) | | aluminum; 1 pair to | | | each pigeon. 9A426A | Blow gun | Ea |Blow gun, disinfectant, | | | 1-qt. capacity. 9A575 | Bowl PG-75 | Ea |Pigeon, pressed wood | | | pulp. Supersedes | | | Bowl PG-29. 9A636 | Brush PG-36 | Ea |Pigeon loft, counter | | | duster. 9A725 | Cage PG-50 | Ea |10-bird, training. 9A755 | Capsules, | Ea | | multivitamin | | 9A825 | Chips, quassia | Lbs | 9A837 | Container, 2-bird | Ea |Container, assembled | Fiber board | | 11-1/2 × 6 × 6 in.; | | | dismantled (folded | | | flat) 15 × 12 × 1/2 | | | in.; net weight, 1 lb. 9A941 | Cup, drinking, | Ea | | 1/2 pt with hooks| | 9A939 | Crate PG-49 | Ea |20-bird, transportation. 9A1140 | Egg PG-40 | Ea |Pigeon nest, white | | | glass. 9A1219.2 | Feed, pigeon, mixed| Lbs |Feed, pigeon mixture | | | consisting of: | | | 25% Corn, American, | | | small grain; | | | 10% Kaffir; | | | 25% Peas, Canada | | | or First and Best; | | | 5% Seed, millet; | | | 20% Vetch, common; | | | 15% Wheat, hard | | | red or durum. 9A1219.4 | Feed, pigeon, mixed| Lbs |Feed, pigeon, mixture | | | consisting of: | | | 25% Corn, American, | | | small grain; | | | 25% Peas, Canada | | | or First and Best; | | | 30% Peas, maple; | | | 20% Vetch, common. 9A1219.5 | Feed, pigeon, mixed| Lbs |Feed, pigeon, mixture | | | consisting of: | | | 3.5% Buckwheat; | | | 25.0% Corn, American, | | | small grain; | | | 5.0% Kaffir; | | | 2.5% Oats, hulled, | | | table grade; | | | 12.5% Peas, Canada | | | or First and Best; | | | 12.5% Peas, maple; | | | 5.0% Rice, whole, | | | extra fancy; | | | 2.5% Seed, canary; | | | 5.0% Seed, hemp; | | | 5.0% Seed, millet; | | | 15.0% Vetch, common; | | | 6.5% Wheat, hard | | | red or durum. 9A1219.7 | Feed, pigeon, mixed| Lbs |Feed, pigeon mixture, | | | consisting of; | | | 10% Corn, American, | | | small grain; | | | 5% Oats, hulled, | | | table grade; | | | 20% Peas, Canada | | | or First and Best; | | | 25% Peas, maple; | | | 5% Seed, hemp; | | | 5% Rice, whole, extra | | | fancy; | | | 20% Vetch, common; | | | 10% wheat, hard red | | | or durum. 9A1219.8 | Feed, pigeon, mixed| Lbs |Feed, pigeon, mixture, | | | consisting of: | | | 15% Rice, whole, extra | | | fancy; | | | 20% Seed, canary; | | | 15% Seed, flax; | | | 20% Seed, hemp; | | | 10% Seed, rape, | | | large sweet; | | | 20% Seed, millet. 9A1237C | Fountain PG-37-C | Ea |Drinking, pigeon galvanized | | | iron self-filling, | | | double opening, | | | 1-1/2 gallon capacity, | | | with handle | | | to facilitate carrying. | | | Supersedes fountain | | | PG-37. 9A1321 | Grit, health, | Lbs | | pigeon (red) | | 9A1322 | Grit, health, | Lbs | | pigeon (natural) | | 9A1646A | Loft PG-46-A | Ea |Portable, 3-section. 9A1648 | Loft PG-68/TB | Ea |Portable, combat, | | | transported by 1/4-ton | | | Bantam trailer. 9A1767 | Message holder | Ea |Transparent, plastic. | PG-67 | | 9A1838 | Pan PG-38 | Ea |Pigeon bath. 9A1845-100| Parachute equipment| Ea |Pigeon; a collapsible | PG-100/CB | | cylinder type container; | | | 4-bird capacity; | | | attached to a | | | 6-ft. parachute with | | | quick release clip. 9A1845-101| Parachute equipment| Ea |Pigeon, a collapsible | PG-101/CB | | cylinder type container; | | | 8-bird capacity; | | | attached to a | | | 9-ft. parachute with | | | a quick release clip. 9A1857-103| Pigeon equipment | Ea |Complete unit of issue | PG-103/CB | | consists of: | | | 1 each, container | | | PG-102/CB (2-bird); | | | 12 each, message | | | holder PG-67; | | | 1 each, map overlay | | | pad Form WD, | | | SC 181; | | | 1 each, message book | | | M-210-A; | | | 2 each, pencils, Black | | | 2H (No. 4) SS-P-186. 9A1857-105| Pigeon equipment | Ea |Complete unit of issue | PG-105/CB | | consists of: | | | 1 each, container | | | PG-104/CB (4-bird); | | | 24 each, message | | | holder PG-67; | | | 1 each, message book | | | M-210-A; | | | 1 each, map overlay | | | pad Form WD, | | | SC 181; | | | 2 each, pencils, black | | | 2H (No. 4) SS-P-186. | | |Supersedes pigeon | | | equipment PG-60, | | | Stock No. 9A1856. 9A1886-106| Pigeon vest | Ea |Shaped to form a | PG-106/CB | | pigeon’s body permitting | | | neck, wing | | | tips, tail and feet to | | | protrude, made of | | | porous fabric and | | | has strap for carrying | | | pigeon on paratrooper’s | | | or scout’s | | | chest, adjustable to | | | any size pigeon. 9A2020 | Shavings, cedar | Lbs | 9A2034A | Scraper PG-34-A | Ea |Similar in shape to a | | | putty knife except | | | blade is 3 in. wide. | | | Supersedes scraper | | | PG-34, Stock No. | | | 9A2034. 9A2035 | Sieve PG-35 | Ea |Pigeon feed. 9A2215 | Tobacco stems | Lbs | 6G260.1 | Disinfectant |Bottle|Disinfectant, Black | | | Flag (liquid), 1 qt. | | | or equal. 6D67 | WD, SC Form 67 | Book |Pigeon Breeding Record | | | (long). 6D68 | WD, SC Form 68 | Ea |Pigeon Pedigree | | | (short). 6D181 | WD, SC Form 181 | Pad |Map overlay. 6D1132 | WD, SC Form 1132 | Ea |Pigeon Breeding Card. 6D1133 | WD, SC Form 1133 | Ea |Monthly Pigeon Report. 6D1177 | WD, SC Form 1177 | Ea |Pigeon Pedigree | | | (long). 6D1183 | WD, SC Form 1183 | Book |Pigeon Flight Record. ----------+--------------------+------+-------------------------------

30. Message Holders

Message Holder PG-67 consists of a body, cap, leg clamp, strap, and fastener (fig. 23). The body, cap, and leg clamp are made of transparent plastic material.

_a._ To attach message holder to pigeon, place leg clamp of holder, around the aluminum identification band on the pigeon’s leg and secure strap by means of the fastener. The message holder must always be attached with the cap pointing in the direction of the pigeon’s body. If attached with the cap pointing down it will interfere with the bird’s walking. The aluminum bands must be loose enough on the pigeon’s leg to allow the message holder to adjust itself to positions that will not interfere with the bird’s flying. In emergencies, a message holder may be placed on each leg.

_b._ Pigeons to be used for signal communication should be trained with the message holder attached to the leg to accustom them to carrying it. Pigeons should be distributed to combat troops, with message holders attached if it is known that the receiving troops have not had training or experience in handling the birds. Otherwise, holders may be delivered separately. Personnel of a loft should make every effort to provide message center units being served with necessary information concerning care, handling, and release of birds.

_c._ To remove a message from a pigeon, catch the bird after it has trapped; hold it in one hand, extend its leg, and remove the message holder with the other hand. Release pigeon in loft.

_d._ When it is necessary for a pigeon to carry a message and a message holder is not available, fold message blank, attach it by looping it around the leg band and tie its two ends together with a piece of thread or light weight string.

=Caution=: _NEVER WIND a string or rubber band around a pigeon’s leg_ because it will stop the circulation and may cause the pigeon to lose its leg.

SECTION V

TRAINING

31. Responsibility for Training

The commanding officer of a signal pigeon company, or the officer in charge of a pigeon unit, will prepare a training program to serve as a general guide for activities of the unit. Weekly training schedules for the guidance of the enlisted personnel will be based upon this approved training program for the unit.

32. Qualifications for Pigeoneers

_a._ GENERAL. Minimum specifications required for a pigeoneer are——

(1) _Skill._ That required for a basic private, plus the ability to care for, feed properly, catch, and hold pigeons; to attach messages; and to train birds for messenger service.

(2) _Knowledge._ That required for a basic private, plus a thorough knowledge of capabilities, limitations, and habits of homing pigeons.

(3) _Personal traits._ A pigeoneer who is boisterous and of a turbulent nature tends to frighten and upset pigeons and thus reduce their effectiveness. The successful pigeoneer should possess——

(_a_) _Dependability._ To perform all his duties regularly and promptly.

(_b_) _Kindness._ To obtain confidence of the pigeons.

(_c_) _Patience._ To spend much time and repeated effort required for training pigeons.

(_d_) _Neatness._ To maintain a sanitary and attractive loft for the pigeons.

(_e_) _Firmness._ To enforce control over pigeons.

(_f_) _Power of accurate observation._ To note and learn characteristics of individual pigeons in the loft by observing details readily and accurately.

_b._ BASIC TRAINING. Only qualified basic privates are selected for pigeoneer training. Skill and knowledge to be attained in this course may be based on this manual.

_c._ ADVANCE TRAINING. Qualified pigeoneers who complete basic training prescribed in _b_ above, and who possess the ability, may be selected for advance training which will prepare them to become specialists or non-commissioned officers. This training will teach:

(1) _Skill._ (_a_) Ability to manage a training loft and to train both young and old pigeons.

(_b_) Ability to manage a breeding loft and supervise breeding activities after schedules have been prepared.

(_c_) Ability to instruct others in (_a_) and (_b_) above.

(2) _Knowledge._ A pigeoneer should possess a thorough knowledge of loft management; feeding, training, and breeding of pigeons; and employment of pigeon communications described in this manual.

33. Introduction to Pigeon Training

It is almost impossible to prescribe any one method for training homing pigeons. There are certain steps, however, that must be followed if the birds are to give reliable messenger service. The methods for training Army homing pigeons are prescribed in this section. However, they are not the only methods by which birds can be trained. Success with the birds depends largely on the individual pigeoneer’s experience and technical knowledge. This is particularly true concerning operation of combat lofts.

34. Settling Pigeons

Settling is the process of conditioning a pigeon to return to its home loft when released. Best results can be expected from young birds just out of the nest because settling and resettling become more difficult as the age of the pigeon increases. Many different methods are used to settle pigeons to lofts, and no ironclad rules can be set down to cover all situations. The age of the birds, type of loft, and experience of the pigeoneer will determine the method used and success achieved. Two settling procedures will be explained in this section. The first will be for young birds not strong on the wing, and the second for older birds that are strong on the wing. These procedures are general and may be used, with slight variations, to settle birds to all types of lofts. In the case of the combat loft, however, remember that pigeons are trained to recognize a certain type of loft rather than terrain features or geographic locations. A combat loft is moved daily during training so that the birds do not become accustomed to one location. Otherwise settling to a combat loft is the same as settling to any other loft.

_a._ SETTLING BIRDS NOT STRONG ON WING. The expression “not strong on the wing” means that pigeons do not have sufficient strength in their wings to stay in the air for sustained flight, for example, youngsters removed from the nest when 28 to 36 days old. These young pigeons are tame and easy to handle; they are not as excitable as older birds because their sense of fear has not yet developed. For these reasons they can be easily settled. They are not strong enough on the wing, however, to stay away from the loft for prolonged periods.

(1) _Feed and water._ Feed birds liberally on the first day they are placed in the loft, but never feed them heavily at any time after that. Make sure the water fountain is placed where it can be found easily. Young pigeons should be kept prisoners for about 2 days. During this time watch them carefully to determine whether all have learned how to drink. If any bird appears sleepy it may not have learned how to drink or where to obtain water. This bird can be taught to drink by forcing its entire beak into the water.

(2) _Learning to trap._ It is of the utmost importance that pigeons used for delivering messages trap promptly. A bird may be the fastest flyer in the loft yet be useless because it will not trap immediately upon return to the loft. The message cannot be removed from the pigeon’s leg if the bird stays on the roof of the loft instead of entering the trap. For this reason it is essential that trapping exercises be carefully carried out. The best time for this training is when birds are being settled. Install the trap late in the evening of the second day of confinement and allow the youngsters to go out on their own initiative and look around. This enables them to become familiar with the outside of the loft and the surrounding territory. On the third day catch the youngsters, place them on the landing board, and gently push one at a time through the trap. Some birds may take to the wing but they will only stay in the air a few minutes at any one time. These pigeons will not fly away; they are merely learning the use of their wings and will return when tired. Place a small amount of feed in the loft during this training and repeat the trapping exercise until the youngsters overcome all fear of the trap. After the birds have learned how to go through the trap allow them to remain outside the loft for about 1/2 hour and then persuade them to trap into the loft themselves. The birds are especially nervous at this time and should not be frightened. While persuading the birds to enter the loft, the pigeoneer should give them a small amount of feed by hand, and at the same time acquaint them with the feed call.