Points of Interest

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Hi there folks. Well I am back on track to give you visiting net-surfing avian hobbyists a little food for thought and
an insight into the progressive research program - to also post any additional photographs of interest.
Prior to the completion of our recent meeting, the A.A.R.O committee thought it would be an exercise in good public
relations to share certain areas of operations which may prove beneficial to experienced breeders and novices alike.
I must admit that researching pigeons has certainly been a learning curve for me. I had grown up with Budgies and
Finches and find pigeons appear to be more susceptible to illness than avian species of which I am most familiar
and would like to take this opportunity to thank Ross Kearns, whom with his lovely wife Rosie, assisted myself and
the program in the correct observation techniques and medicinal treatment procedures and thereby ensuring our
birds remain 100% healthy. The Kearns husband and wife team are committed pigeon racing enthusiasts and true
animal lovers and as Ring Secretary to the South Australian Homing Pigeon Association, Rosie certainly has her
work cut out for her. I sincerely wish them well in their beloved hobby and lives in general.

In this time of economical uncertainty I am positive most of us have become very budget conscious and the ever
rising cost of seed and grain to feed our birds just isn’t helping any. So I decided to let you keepers of budgies and
pigeons in on a well kept secret. Towards assisting birds to ensure their eggs are sound and do not crack or break in
the laying or sitting process, cuttlefish bone is what is usually recommended and unless you live near a beach that
can well accommodate supply, a bag of beached bones is quite expensive. Well problem solved peoples! For all one
needs to do is find a relatively new building site and ask the foreman for permission to remove any unwanted sheets
of gyp-rock (gypsum). I can assure you the birds will love it and the digestion of gypsum is not harmful in any
manner - composed of calcium, sulphur, oxygen and water. I have been using it for thirty odd years and have had
no problems whatsoever; and best of all – it’s FREE!

Now I’m certain that most pigeon breeders would be aware of just how delectable peanuts are to pigeons and will
squabble and fight over the very last tasty nut to be nibbled. I don’t know about overseas, but here in Adelaide, a
bag of peanuts is expensive and so I will now reveal my method to overcome this and if the food pricing for you is
similar to that in the land of Oz, well I am sure this will be of some interest.
First and foremost one requires a food processor or blender. 2: You need to source the cheapest price for the largest
available container of processed peanut butter. 3: A loaf of day-old bread is required and a knife for spreading the
peanut butter. 4: Once the slice of bread is coated you then fold it in half and break it up by hand placing contents in
your blender - not only does this go much further than feeding raw peanuts, but the mix of bread and peanut butter
will prove to be a very welcomed treat and addition to the pigeons dietary requirements; as peanut butter has a high
oil content only give it sparingly. I also mix in canary, white and red millet, hulled oats, powdered soy beans and
sorghum and stir the lot in a sizeable container. Take my word for it the birds will be more than excited to see you
approach their loft and will dig in with a vengeance – very sweet tucker, I reckon.

The main diet of all our birds consists of the following mix of seeds and grains: Dun peas, wheat, pop corn, safflower -
sorghum and grey striped sunflower seeds. The grit supplied is made up of shell grit, crushed red bricks and finely
crushed river pebbles. The only greens provided are derived from homegrown spinach and the seeds & grains afore
mentioned – thus avoiding the possibility of chemical contamination. The water is changed daily and all plastic
receptacles cleaned with boiled water – no chemicals used. We provided tubs for bathing and mix in garlic and
aloe vera oil with the water. Olive oil is used for the treatment of one-eyed colds and Flagyl tackles bacterial infections
such as the onset of Canker. Our philosophy is: If a pigeon ain’t broken don’t try fixing it with unnecessary medication
and just watch and observe the flock or kit for any tell tale signs of illness – always quarantine suspect individuals.
In the treatment for all manner of mites and worms we use the correct dosage of Ivermectin in the birds’ drinking
water – whenever using unfamiliar substances always seek the advice of a reputable Vet to ensure the correct
dosage to water. If used in the correct manner Ivermectin is a great asset and has proven to be invaluable to the
research program. Ivermectin was intended as a treatment for cattle and sheep and if used incorrectly may become a
deadly form of poison - so please leave nothing to chance and do ensure to note the following: whenever we
choose to offer advice or make suggestions on a public platform it is conscientiously done with the expectation
that common sense prevails - so please seek professional veterinary advice before proceeding with any recommended
avian medication; after all said and done, one’s priority should always focus on the welfare of one’s precious
and sometimes very expensive animals.

Primaries are connected to the manus (the bird's "hand", composed of carpometacarpus and phalanges).

these are the longest and narrowest of the remiges (particularly those attached to the phalanges), and they

can be individually rotated. These feathers are especially important for flapping flight, as they are the principal

source of thrust, moving the bird forward through the air. Most thrust is generated on the down stroke of

flapping flight. However, on the upstroke (when the bird often draws its wing in close to its body), the primaries

are separated and rotated, reducing air resistance while still helping to provide some thrust. The flexibility of the

remiges on the wingtips of large soaring birds also allows for the spreading of those feathers, which helps to

reduce the creation of wingtip vortices, thereby reducing drag. The barbules on these feathers, friction

barbules, are specialized with large lobular barbicels that help grip and prevent slippage of overlying feathers

and are present in most of the flying birds.

Rectrices

Rectrices (from the Latin for "helmsman"), which help the bird to brake and steer in flight, lie in a single

horizontal row on the rear margin of the anatomical tail. Only the central pair is attached (via ligaments) to the

tail bones; the remaining rectrices are embedded into the rectricial bulbs, complex structures of fat and muscle

that surround those bones. Rectrices are always paired, with a vast majority of species having six pairs.

They are absent in grebes and some ratites, and greatly reduced in size in penguins. Many grouse species

have more than 12 rectrices; some (including Ruffed Grouse and Hazel Grouse) have a number that varies

between individuals. Domestic pigeons have a highly variable number, due to centuries of selective breeding.

Moult

Once they have finished growing, feathers are essentially dead structures. Over time they become worn

and abraded, and need to be replaced. This replacement process is known as moult (molt in the United States).

The loss of wing and tail feathers can affect a bird's ability to fly (sometimes dramatically) and in certain families

can impair the ability to feed or perform courtship displays. The timing and progression of flight feather moult

therefore varies between families.

A.A.R.O hereby acknowledges and thanks Wikipedia. Org for the use of all imagery and information herein

Remiges (from the Latin for "oarsman") are located on the posterior side of the wing.

Ligaments attach the long calami or quills firmly to the wing bones and a thick, strong

band of tendinous tissue known as the postpatagium helps to hold and support the remiges

in place. Corresponding remiges on individual birds are symmetrical between the two

wings, matching to a large extent in size and shape except in the case of mutation or damage.

They are given different names depending on their position along the wing.

Bird wing bone structure
indicating attachment points of remiges

Topics of interest & Long held secrets

revealed

Manny Arquette

23 rd June 2009

The Homing Instincts of the Racing Pigeon

Firstly it must be noted that there exists many worldwide theories on this matter and it is up to each
individual breeder to conclude which of those postulated theories bear scientific credence.
After extensive research and varied distant tossing trials by the research team, I am confident in
stating the following outlined conclusions are relative to formulating a clear and validated resolution
of what makes these feathered athletes of the skies come home to their welcoming lofts.
After exhaustive deliberation, the major contributing factor to help explain the pigeon’s homing
instincts lies in the evaluated theory drawn by myself and the A.A.R.O research team which is
as follows - by way of nature, the homing pigeon is blessed with acute hearing and visual senses
and carries an exceptional inbuilt navigation guidance system that the racing pigeon uses to fly
home from great distances.

This system works through the birds’ sight and also through the sensitive beak in the following manner.
As the homer is being transported to a particular location for tossing, the aerial messages of the vast
geographic surrounds are imprinted into the bird’s memory and once the pigeon in flight gets its skyward
bearings, and the homer quickly absorbs the far reaching topographic data by its sharpness of vision -
hearing and the inherent geomagnetic resource available, it is only a matter of time before the highly
intelligent creature is homeward bound. This incredible feat of navigation is in the main due to the
magnetic field which the homer tunes into through the bird’s beak (aerial receiver) and the messages
transmitted to the brain.

There are several established factors that the pigeon utilizes to successfully wing its way home.

An important consideration is the retentive memorizing of the Landscape that the birds apply as they
are transported and duly released. I have been advised by breeders worldwide that during a host of
GPS monitored tosses - in their homeward return the racing pigeons have closely followed the route
taken by the transporter. The influence of the Earth’s magnetic field is another major factor.
The weather conditions at the time of release can have an effect on the success of a bird’s return -
especially during an electrical storm. Although many state the importance of the sun in this equation, I
tend to disagree. This is due to the fact that in the UK, the breeders successfully race to the darkness
system and the involvement of sunlight is very minimal. Also experiments have been initiated where the
pigeons were blindfolded and most managed to return home.

The evidence of response to spatial and temporal variations in geomagnetic parameters is paramount
in the racing pigeon and must be a conclusive contributing factor. An urban myth: pigeons are erroneously
considered to be colour blind by breeders whom have obviously failed to undertake the appropriate testing.
I refute such a statement - for homers are well able to assess their colourful environs and use this to
recognize their immediate area and loft. This scientific fact has been established by presenting several
laboratory tested pigeons three cards bearing the colors red, blue and green. The pigeons in question
were each shown a particular color and rewarded with a peanut. It was subsequently established that the
individual pigeons were able to distinguish between the three colors and select the right card to receive
their craved reward. It must also be noted that the humble homer is a highly intelligent creature that follows
close behind humans and monkeys.

Training Racing Pigeons

Racing pigeons are housed together in a specially designed dovecote or loft. From about five weeks of age

until the end of its racing career, the racing loft is the pigeon's home and this is where it returns to on race day.

Selective breeding and rigorous training has led to many a bird becoming a champion Australian winner.

Young pigeons are usually trained progressively for at least six months before being allowed to compete in a

race event. A racing pigeon's initial training involves familiarizing it with the loft and its surroundings and

training it to use the various features of its home (e.g. entry points). It is also this critical time that the birds

learn commands, such as entering the loft when the trainer whistles.

After a few weeks of initial training and ' homing in', the young birds are allowed outside for the first time.
This is usually before they can fly strongly so as to prevent an overzealous pigeon from flying away before it can
find its way back home. As the birds grow older, they become stronger and smarter and are therefore allowed to
fly further and further away from their home loft. When a few trainers fly their pigeons in the same area, these
loft flying kits (as flocks of pigeons are called) can number in the thousands. This ' loft flying' familiarizes the
birds with their home area and builds fitness. It does not, however, help them much in relation to finding their home
from long distances away, a fundamental of pigeon racing. As confident flyers, the young pigeons are taken on
progressively longer ' training tosses', driven a distance away from their home and released. This is like the format
of a real race, however on a much smaller scale and it is usually not timed in the same way as a race.
This practice of loft flying and tossing continues throughout a pigeon's career.

Training methods are as varied as the pigeons themselves. Some fanciers believe their system is the secret to their
success and guard these hard learned lessons closely. Most fanciers will explain their basic strategy but some may
be reluctant to share the details of their success.
One of the most popular systems is widowhood. This system uses motivation to try to give the bird a sense of
urgency on race day. The use of widowhood is usually begun by first allowing the racer to raise a baby in their
nest box. After the baby is weaned the hen is removed and often the nest box is closed off, from then on the only
time these birds are allowed to see their mate or enter the nest box is upon returning from training or a race.
This conditioning is one of the key elements in a lot of racing programs.

21st September 2009

Manny Arquette

Primaries

"Sally's Pigeons" is a pop song by Cyndi Lauper that was featured on her 1993 album Hat Full of Stars. It was released as the

album's second single in some countries, and as its third in others. The song was inspired by the story of a childhood friend

of Lauper, who in her teens got pregnant, had a back-alley abortion, and died as a result. The song was co-written with

Mary Chapin Carpenter.

The birds bred by Charles were all types of fancy pigeons. Darwin had built his lofts at Down House.

Raising the animals (all these breeds are descended from the rock dove) was a popular hobby of the day.

Breeders competed to produce varieties with a particular color or beak shape, and Darwin did the same.

At one point his flock grew to 90 birds.

Charles Darwin, Pigeon Fancier

Iran says it caught two pigeons spying on its nuclear reactor. It sounds crazy, but it's not as far fetched
as you might think. The lowly pigeon has been used in military operations since the 12th century.
Commando the Pigeon flew 90 missions in German-occupied France during WWII.
Pigeons like Commando, Winkie, and Paddy had a lock on the Dickin Medal for animal bravery during
WWII. Then again, maybe it's just crazy. Last year Iran said it had arrested 14 squirrels for espionage.

Paddy (Pigeon number NPS.43.9451) was an Irish carrier pigeon awarded the Dickin Medal after being the first pigeon to arrive

back in England with news of the success of the D-Day invasion, out of hundreds dispatched. He flew 230 miles across the

English Channel in four hours and five minutes, the fastest recorded crossing, and was awarded the medal on 1st September

1944, just less than three months after the crossing. Paddy was trained by John McMullan of Carnlough and is the only bird in

Ireland to be awarded this medal. The medal citation reads: "For the best recorded time with a message from the Normandy

Operations, while serving with the RAF in June, 1944." His medal was sold at auction for almost £7,000 in September 1999.

How does Individual identification through DNA Sequencing work?

In response to those avian genetics enthusiasts who have expressed their interest towards

learning more with regards A.A.R.O’s scientific research procedures, I will briefly touch upon

our research techniques that greatly assist the dedicated people involved with the breeding

program, in their quest to accurately classify the many color varieties that are currently at

our disposal. These pigeons are primarily used as lab-test subjects towards achieving our

ultimate goals, I.e. the realization of new mutations and the implementation of an informative

documentation and a precise photographic-color-chart for identification purposes with

regards Columba livia.

The techniques we utilize are similar to those used by forensic scientists and I have briefly

covered these areas of practice to give hobbyist viewers some idea of the complexities

involved in evaluating any form of Subject Species undergoing research, and at the same

time, be viewed as an educational platform to assist with one’s own personal breeding

program and genotypic evaluation towards phenotypic identification and declarations.

Many aspects of DNA Sequencing and Blood Sampling require a great deal of detailing and

referenced imagery to go into specifics here - so I shall do my best to at least provide an

insight that may throw some light upon the matter - with respect to the ongoing scientific

methodology concerning A.A.R.O’s progressive breeding program.

To identify individual specimens and this includes all manner of wildlife, scientists are able

to scan 13 DNA regions, or loci, that vary from specimen to specimen and use the data to

create a DNA profile of that individual species under the microscope (sometimes called a

DNA fingerprint). There is an extremely small chance that another subject species has the

same DNA profile for a particular set of 13 regions – pigeons are no exception and DNA

profiling has proven to be a very accurate methodology for an accurate database

documentation.

DNA identification can be quite effective if used intelligently. Portions of the DNA sequence that
vary the most among subject specimens must be used; also, portions must be large enough to
overcome the fact that some avian mating is not absolutely random.

How is DNA typing done?

Only one-tenth of a single percent of DNA (about 3 million bases) differs from one individual to

the next. Scientists can use these variable regions to generate a DNA profile of an individual,

using samples from blood, bone, hair, and other body tissues and products.

Scientists find the markers in a DNA sample by designing small pieces of DNA (probes) that will
each seek out and bind to a complementary DNA sequence in the sample. A series of probes
bound to a DNA sample creates a distinctive pattern for an individual.
Forensic scientists compare these DNA profiles to determine whether the suspect's sample
matches the evidence sample. A marker by itself usually is not unique to an individual; if, however,
two DNA samples are alike at four or five regions, odds are great that the samples are from the
same subject species under the microscope.

The more probes used in DNA analysis, the greater the odds for a unique pattern and against a
coincidental match, but each additional probe adds greatly to the time and expense of testing.
Four to six probes are recommended. Testing with several more probes will become routine,
observed John Hicks (Alabama State Department of Forensic Services). He predicted that DNA
chip technology (in which thousands of short DNA sequences are embedded in a tiny chip) will
enable much more rapid, inexpensive analyses using many probes and raising the odds against
coincidental matches.

Any type of organism can be identified by examination of DNA sequences unique to that

species. Identifying individuals within a species is less precise at this time, although when

DNA sequencing technologies progress farther, direct comparison of very large DNA

segments, and possibly even whole genomes, will become feasible and practical and will

allow precise individual identification.

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
RFLP is a technique for analysing the variable lengths of DNA fragments that result from digesting
a DNA sample with a special kind of enzyme. This enzyme, a restriction endonuclease, cuts DNA at
a specific sequence pattern know as a restriction endonuclease recognition site. The presence or
absence of certain recognition sites in a DNA sample generates variable lengths of DNA fragments,
which are separated using gel electrophoresis. They are then hybridised with DNA probes that
bind to a complementary DNA sequence in the sample.

RFLP was one of the first applications of DNA analysis to forensic investigation.
With the development of newer, more efficient DNA-analysis techniques, RFLP is not used as much
as it once was because it requires relatively large amounts of DNA. In addition, samples degraded
by environmental factors, such as dirt or mould, do not work well with RFLP.

PCR Analysis
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to make millions of exact copies of DNA from a biological
sample. DNA amplification with PCR allows DNA analysis on biological samples as small as a few
skin cells. With RFLP, DNA samples would have to be about the size of a quarter. The ability of PCR
to amplify such tiny quantities of DNA enables even highly degraded samples to be analysed.
Great care, however, must be taken to prevent contamination with other biological materials during
the identifying, collecting, and preserving of a sample.

STR Analysis
Short tandem repeat (STR) technology is used to evaluate specific regions (loci) within nuclear DNA.
Variability in STR regions can be used to distinguish one DNA profile from another.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses a standard set of 13 specific STR regions for CODIS.
CODIS is a software program that operates local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from
convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons. The odds that two
individuals will have the same 13-loci DNA profile is about one in a billion.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
Mitochondrial DNA analysis (mtDNA) can be used to examine the DNA from samples that cannot be
analysed by RFLP or STR. Nuclear DNA must be extracted from samples for use in RFLP, PCR, and
STR; however, mtDNA analysis uses DNA extracted from another cellular organelle called a
mitochondrion. While older biological samples that lack nucleated cellular material, such as hair,
bones, and teeth, cannot be analysed with STR and RFLP, they can be analysed with mtDNA. In the
investigation of cases that have gone unsolved for many years, mtDNA is extremely valuable.

All mothers have the same mitochondrial DNA as their offspring. This is because the mitochondria of
each new embryo come from the mother's egg cell. The father's sperm contributes only nuclear DNA.

Manny Arquette

4th October 2009

Endonucleases cleave the phosphodiester bond within a polynucleotide chain, in contrast to exonucleases,

which cleave phosphodiester bonds at the end of a polynucleotide chain. Restriction endonucleases

(Restriction Enzymes) cleave DNA at specific sites, and are divided into three categories, Type I, Type II,

and Type III, according to their mechanism of action. These enzymes are often used in genetic engineering

to make Recombinant DNA for introduction into bacterial, plant, or animal cells.

Restriction endonucleases (ENases) are products of bacteria, and can be used to map a piece of DNA.

Some endonucleases have actions on RNA, such as the Dicer enzyme which initiates the formation of

Endonuclease: An enzyme that cleaves a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) at specific internal sites

in the nucleotide base sequence.

RNA-induced silencing complexes. These may also be termed endoriboncleases.

September 2009 Pigeons of the Month

Dominant Opal
Indigo influenced Pied cock
with Bronze-collar & Crescent

Ash Red Blue-head cock

White Grizzle cock

26th September 2009

Manny Arquette

Rare Coloured Pigeons Gallery

Beherrschung der Taubenzuchtos

Die Deutsche Midas Touch

Presenting Von Uwe Held

Deutsche Langschnäblige Tummler: Geschichte

German Long-Faced Highflier: Origin and new Colorations

The German Long-Beaked or Long-Faced Highflier was developed within a very short
period from a tumbler of a beak-length similar or slightly longer than a field pigeon.
Extreme long faced tumblers were not mentioned by Frisch, Bechstein, Buhle and also
not in the foreign literature. Thus we can assume that they did not exist in the eighteenth
century and the first half of the nineteenth Prütz (1885) and Düringen (1886, 1906)
mentioned several of the today long beaked breeds and also used the term “long-beaked”.
However, the illustrations in their books show that those birds were not long-beaked in
the understanding of today.

The first tumbler breed with the tendency for a higher stand was the Berlin Lange due to
crosses with French Bagdettes and Pigmy Pouters. At the turn of the century also other
breeds like the today German Long-beaked Highflier, but also the Kasseler, the Stralsund
and the Polish Magpie Tumbler followed. The development must have been similar rapid as
in England at the development of the modern English Magpie Tumbler by crossing with
French Bagdettes.

Photos in the volume “Taubenrassen” edited by Lavalle and Lietze 1905 and also illustrations
in the second edition of Düringen’ book demonstrate the progress in the German breeds.
Photos in the Tumbler part of the book edited by Wittig about 1925 still contained photos of
near to perfect birds, unbelievable for those not familiar with genetics.

The standards for the different breeds developed about 1900 in part excluded at that time rare
colorations, thus e.g. Storked Long-Beaked Tumblers and Tigers were missing.
About 1985 Storked Long-Beaked Tumblers were revived by Gustav Liefke and now Uwe Held
presented black tigers, created by the related black Danish Tigers. On the genetics of “Tiger”
Andreas Leiss in 2006 gave a report with reference to different breeds. According to him
based on information from breeders the Danish Tigers are homozygous tigers, thus their
tiger-gene is not identical with tiger-grizzle since pure tiger grizzle become near to white.
With their black head they are also phenotypically different.

Never give up!
Pass dich nicht an
und geb dich nicht geschlagen,
lebe deine Träume
und verwirkliche deine Ziele.
Schwimm gegen den Strom,
denn nur an der Quelle
kannst du den Lauf des Flusses ändern.
Lass dich niemals abbringen,
von den Menschen,
die nicht den Mut hatten
etwas zu ändern.

Do not pass on
and will not give thee defeated,
live your dreams
and realize your goals.
Swimming against the current,
because only at the source
You can change the course of the stream.
Let's remove thee never,
by people
not had the courage
to change something.

Karl Neugebauer & Buckerman

Björn

German Longface Tummler

Danish Longface Tummlers

Author: Axel Sell

Deutsche Langschnäblige Tummler

Courtesy of Von Uwe Held

Cathedral of Worms

Late December of 2008, Sundays evening, small nice German town, mug of good
German beer, bike overhead and Che Guevara is watching me.
I’m in “Die Funzel” – best bar in Worms.

St Martin's Church.

Feb. 25, 2010

Susan with Paulchen the loveable Labrador & Puts the sweet Siamese.

Paulchen’s favourite soft toy

Pigeon Articles & Photos
Courtesy of Von Uwe Held
February 2010

SOMETHING ABOUT THE BERLIN LONGFACE

The reputation of being an extraordinary pigeon has remained for the Berlin Longface. You can recognize the Berlin Longface by its bizarre appearance up

to which extent the perfection of the breeding goals have been possible to achieve.

They are known since the previous mid-century.

Only a few races have experienced such a historical appreciation like this very in Berlin originated tumbler..

That is why there is not enough space for

the historical information but a short chronological summary should serve well.

The ornament of the Berlin Longface is the extremely narrow, long head, which has to form a cotter without compression and dodge from above.
In the pigeon world this head is unique in its form and completely different from the head forms of the Stralsunder Highflier and the English Exhibition
Homer, which is clearly a characteristic of the Berlin Longface. The exemplarily bred head area grants the Berlin Longface highest nobleness.
This classy cotter formed head is carried horizontally and ends right-angled at the back head.

The well fitting beak is long and straight and is being carried horizontally. Depending on the color of the animal’s plumage, the color of the beak is varying
between light and black. The beak’s warts should be flat and not disturbing the profile line in any way. Except the Whites at which we demand black
eyes, different hued animals should have pearl eyes. Especially here a bit of improvement in breeding is necessary. The composition of the eyes’ rims should
be delicately and thin. Also in this case, the color of the rim is depending on the color of the plumage. Red-, pearl colored, Isabelle and yellow magpies
show pale or rather light rims, blue and black magpies show dark ones.

The neck of our Berlin Longface is very long and thin. The suitably formed throat emphasizes the lengthiness of the face. Especially animals which do not
fulfill the mentioned requirement of the long throat let the face be perceived as short which is being negatively assessed in the valuation process.
The chest of the Berlin Longface should be narrow, in order for the folded wing to stick out, this way the impression of a good flier arises. The breast bone
should be straight and relatively short. Animals with highly deformed breast bones should not be taken into consideration for the assessment.
The wings must not be crossed, which should be positioned narrow and tightly closed on the tail. A well closed tail should be highly paid attention to.
Animals which have a fantail should only be considered for the breeding process if other characteristics are highly advantageous.

Thinly boned, long and closely standing to each other should the legs be. The leg and its lower leg should have little short feathers.

The plumage should be as tight and rich as possible, without any bald spots at the joint of the wing and the area of the neck.

The number of the Berlin Longface’s color hues is relatively high. There are blue, pearl colored, Isabelle-colored, black, red and yellow in the known
magpie marking. The latter gives the observer, in a flawless color, a striking view. Additionally there are also purely white and oscillating ones in the
previously mentioned colores. Animals which have a heart shaped spot at their neck are being called hearted ones, without the spot they are called
chested ones. At this moment, there are plenty of blue and black animals. All other color hues should be treated tolerantly since they are hardly spread,
whereas some of them which are being shown in the leading shows are really extraordinary. Because of their extraordinary extremities, which have been
developed highly with the Berlin Longfaces, they offer their breeders a rich scope with several starting points. The result of cooperating breeders would
have positive effects for them.

The Berlin Longfaces are thankful and reliable tumblers in breeding. They feed their young well and richly as well as protect them devotionally. Sadly the
Berlin Longface became a typical aviary held pigeon, but there are a few breeds which are being held in a free flight, where they still have good flying
performances. The breeding of the Berlin Longfaces should be conducted carefully. I suggest working with a few but first-class animals. An adequate record
keeping is advantageous. A pigeon line which is healthy and has been developed carefully and patiently is very valuable. That is why involving
“foreign/new blood” can be postponed over years.

The goal of every breeder of Berlin Longfaces should therefore be to outline the required standards of the race and aiming to these characteristics while
breeding in order to foster them genetically. Should it be necessary to use foreign blood, the characteristics of the bred animals will be more dominant when
it comes to the genetical endowment of the newer animals’ blemishes. Summing up one can definitely say that the race offers something to any pigeon fancier.
The Berlin Longface attracts attention by its aesthetic lines and its appearance. One should observe them open-mindedly, because of the fact that the
pigeon’s body was bred up to the limit of the achievable.

Top animals embody complete harmony in the overall appearance. I can only recommend the Berlin Longfaces to someone who would like to have joy
by something extraordinary.

EXHIBITION HOMER – SOMETHING FOR IDEALISTS

Who read about the Homer breed in the literature, will admit that in the recent 15 years the Exhibition Homer not only has improved, but also became known
by breeders and fanciers.

On the one hand, that is because of his beauty, on the other, because of the consequent and ambitious breeding of appreciative idealists, and mainly because of
the appreciative judges who had the gift and the knowledge of assessing correctly and judged accommodating.

If one would have wanted to write the story of the Exhibition Homer, one would have to mention several names which would describe experiments and write
about various crossings which have been performed by English enthusiasts right after the turn of the century. But that shall be avoided here.

Acknowledged should be the extraordinary art of breeding of our English friends who gave us a magnificent idol with these pigeons.

Let us proceed with the requirements which we would look for in a typical Exhibition Homer.

. If one would not look at the head, the Exhibition Homer should look like a robust carrier pigeon, figurative from the body, but should stand considerably higher.

What has been changed by his creators compared to the carrier pigeon is the uniquely formed head which plays the most important role in the assessment and
which demands the entire mastery of a breeder.

The head should be carried horizontally and look like a blunt cotter. The cranial can be defined as typical if it fits to the required length of the face and the depth

of the face’s state as well as the straight line of the vertex, which is bent to the right behind the eye and continues to the neck in a flattened rounding.

The highlighted bend of the upper line – also called neck avulsion – gives the head the required aridness.

If we would look at the cranial from above, the requirement would be: a cotter without any notches.

The line below the face, with a deep cornice, points out the lengthiness. A bad cornice also called Wanne – devalues an otherwise promising animal.

The eye of the Exhibition Homer is pearled. The clearer the iris, the more beautiful and typical seem the eyes.

The neck of the Exhibition Homer has a medium length, comes powerful out of the shoulders and narrows elegantly to the head.

The chest has to have an adequate width and has to be carried lifted. That is why the chest seems to be well rounded and muscular.

The Exhibition Homer shows an upright body posture with a considerably gradient back-tail-area.

The tail should be as narrow as possible and tightly closed.

How unaesthetic seem animals with a too wide so called fantail.

Every once in a while, the long feather at a typical animal is being criticized.

Mostly these animals have an extremely long cranial area.

The linking of very short feathers in the plumage : a long face might not be possible to achieve in practice. Similar experiences are being made often with
longface tumblers.

At the Exhibition Homer all carrier pigeon colors, without white markings, are accepted.

There are considerations to breed Whites and Roans, whereas both colors should show dark face masks.

The following years will reveal whether these experiments are going to be accomplished.

have the required condition.

Who chooses the Exhibition Homer will never regret this decision.

This race is very vital and cares for her young optimally. She is suitable for the free flight and the aviary.

Who would like to breed Exhibition Homer will always be impressed, because where else would one find so many positive characteristics, elegance and so
many breeding successes in quality and quantity like with this Homer.

Having an eye for the value of an extraordinary animal is necessary, because blemished animals you may find often enough.

prevents the breeder to assess the value of his animals subjectively and too highly without minimizing blemishes of the same.

Who would like to find out more about this exquisite pigeon race, should approach the appropriate association, the German Show Homer-Club of 1900.

GERMAN LONGFACE TUMBLERS IN WHITE

The hour of birth of today’s White German Longface Tumblers goes back to the year of 1898..

Their breeder was the famous tumbler expert Gustav Fischer from Magdeburg.

In 1896 he started experimenting in order to breed pearl-eyed Whites in the flier type.

White plain-coloured existed before but they had yellow irides and were not popular within the breeding community.

The Whites were also called “Parisians”.

Nowadays there is no evidence as to where the name was derived from.

Dr. Friedrich Eichler stated in a race-report that due to the notes of the Schieferdecker-dove-act in Magdeburg their path has been lead from Holland’s Hagenaans to
Colon – which was partly bordered by the French – and ended in Magdeburg. The name “Parisians” is therefore believed to be influenced by Colon.

With the appearance of the newly created Whites, the so-called “Parisians” disappeared.

In the following time a group of enthusiastic breeders committed to a high extent to the refinement of the newly created Whites

With help of the modern English Magpie, Marthams, French Bagdettes and of the so-called highflying Stralsunder, they created a longface tumbler within a few
decades, which was attracting attention within the breeding community.

I would like to outline the significance of the tumbler and interpret their attributes further.

To start with the form and type of the Whites, we are striving for fine forms which are in harmony between the length of the legs and the neck with a small angular position of
the body and a high profile of the head.

It often happens that the tumblers do not have the angular position which means that these animals are not standing enough gradient.

These animals would then look similar like the so-called “Kassler”-type, which would decrease immensely its value.

From experience I can tell that the inaccurate position of the body is strongly genetically conditional.

That is why one should separate from them before they influence the next breeding.

The main and valuable aspect of these animals is the profile of the head, including the beak and the eyes.

Long and delicate should the profile be, but not without substance.

From the cusp of the beak to the upper head we are striving to breed tumblers with a decently raising profile which gets to its highest point behind the eyes and ends
in the neck.

The back of the head should have significance.

I have seen various Whites in shows within the previous years, which could not match the mentioned profile.

The front head is long on the side well rounded and gets wider in the direction to the eyes.

The pearled-like-eyes show a clear iris and a small pupil.

I would wish them to have the fascinating eyes of the Danish tumblers, but this will probably remain a wish.

Often there are decent red veins in the iris.

This would be a result of the combination of the feed or because of the free flight.

A high amount of sweet corn in the feed results a spread of the mentioned problem, which was evidenced in the breeding of my Whites.

We would like to have the edges of the eyes to be narrow, delicate and in a fiery red.

The fierier they are, the more appealing they are perceived.

Pale edges of the eyes could either be a result of a deficit in their fitness or because of an illness.

Further, a decrease in intensity of the edges of the eyes could be an effect of maturity.

The essential thing for the quality of the Whites is a good cornice because it makes the face be perceived longer.

For the perfect throat there is a narrow and in the upper area thin formed neck which influences the elegance of the tumbler positively.

Male doves tend to have a stronger neck with the increasing age which results a shorter period of time in which they can be presented in shows.

The tail of the Whites should be narrow as possible because of the fact that a too long tail devalues the tumbler.

During the previous years, I have experienced Whites which split their tail in the middle.

This would be an immense blemish because of wrong keeping.

My longfaced tumblers are kept in free flight, by now, the mentioned blemish did not come up within my breeding.

The plumage should be even and close.

In order to increase the consistency of the feathers it is of advantage using black, red and dun-coloured Magpies in the breeding process.

I have made good experiences in crossing with black Magpies; most of them have been female.

With a bit of luck, one would have white animals in the F1-generation of the breeding.

To change the forms and height our Magpies have been used.

Getting fresh blood into the breeding process would be necessary every 5 to 6 years using Magpies, because the Whites tend to get smaller in a clean breed.

Before I conclude, I would like to add something to the breeding and keeping of the extravagant tumblers.

The animals used in the initial breeding process should be highly paid attention to. Further one should define the standards and the formulation of the appearance.

The Whites can be kept in free flight and in aviaries but you should take into consideration that the aviaries can never be spacious enough.

If the animals are kept well, the expectancy of breeding per year is between 5 to 6 breeds.

Valuable animals used for breeding must not only be presented in shows but also get enough time to recover, since we call ourselves breeders and fanciers we should not
only focus on the gains which the shows deliver but also on the well-being of our animals.

To conclude one can say that the Whites have something to offer, since their elegance which is combined with nobleness may attract the attention of the one or the
other professional.

When starting with breeding these tumblers, it will be experienced positively, which makes the breeder focus on this very race.

I hope that my outline is going to contribute in finding new and enthusiastic fanciers for our Whites in order to continue with the upward trend in breeding them.

GERMAN LONGFACE TUMBLERS
Magpies, yellow

Can anything else be told about yellow magpies?

Is not everything already known about them?

A description of the standard can be avoided, since every breeder may already have knowledge about it.

What remained to write about the magpie are details and the big “How”, the requirements for the standard can be achieved.

Germany’s, Britain’s and Holland’s magpies originated from Denmark.

Today’s magpies have their form from the breeding team Bracey and Cocke, who crossed French Bagdettes with their magpies right after the turn of the century.

The animals which originated from them formed the basis for today’s modern magpie breeding.

The question would be: How can top animals be bred?

There is no basic answer I could give, but I can provide you with appropriate steps from my own experience which you could consider on your way to success.

Who decides to breed yellow magpies, should be advised that first of all the breeding as line breeding at the beginning should take place with two to three pairs.

This does not mean that the breeding should start with average animals and to hope for good animals by coincidence, but to acquire animals only from successful, longtime
specialized breeding. In order to consolidate the desired concinnity of the race systematically, an exact and diligent record should be taken.

Only this way a targeted line breeding can be conducted. Of course, only healthy animals should be taken into consideration.

Many magpie breeders believe in the wrong assumption, that the more breeding pairs are used, the more offspring.

That might be true in individual cases, but assumes spacious breeding places with several partitions.

Which damages have been caused by crowded breeding places?

Bad breeding results are connected to crowded breeding places.

That is why quantity should not be set above quality.

Every magpie breeder should only consider using the best of all animals for breeding. This way one can easily breed with four to six pairs.

The breeder should appoint himself/herself as judge and should exclude all blemished animals from breeding.

In the following are a couple of hints for the compilation of breeding pairs:

Firstly get the best two animals together, then the next two and continue with this method.

In order to prevent a fading color of the yellow magpies, one likes to breed with red animals.

From my experience I can tell that red female pigeons would qualify ideally for that.

From a qualitative perspective, red and yellow magpies share one place.

Even if color and markings are listed at the final step of the standards, one should pay utmost attention to richly and well colored animals.

It is not rare to find outstanding animals with blue parts on the back.

Here, the judge should rate unfavorably since this attribute tends to consolidate fast and heavily in its population.

Even if such an animal presents itself perfectly in form, a downgrading should take place.

Animals with eleven or less tail feathers, as well as animals with crooked or too wide tails (fantails) should not be found in a breed.

Also too short, low positioned and short-necked animals should not be taken into consideration.

Better would it be to use an animal in the breed which is a little too big, but in the profile of the head substantial.

Smaller and more delicate will the offspring be over time.

One should always pay high attention to a slurred back of the head and an opulent face and strong beak. The latter is responsible for an opulent looking face.

Without concerns an animal, which is over-marked in the heart/neck area, can be used, in case one has no better marked animals.

A couple of years ago, I used highly over-marked magpies and surprisingly the six young they got, were marked perfectly.

A good cooperation between breeders is necessary since egoistic approaches only harm the race.

Despite the fact that magpies are often held in aviaries, they remained robust and fertile tumblers.

Per year one can expect six to eight young of one pair, assuming that the animals are in an adequate condition.

Who has the possibility of offering his/her animals free flight, should do so, because the yellow magpies still have an excellent performance when it comes to flying.

The vitality and the intelligence of the animals benefit from the free flight.

For five years I allow my German Longface Tumblers free flight and have only had good experiences with it.

The breeding places should be light, dry and clearly arranged.

You should not refuse having a separate young breed.

Further one should dedicate about half an hour daily to his/her animals.

This way the pigeons and especially the young get used to their breeder.

Magpies tend a little to soar up when someone enters their breeding places.

Especially the half hour dedicated to the animals is calming them.

After a while these animals lose their dread.

Currently the number of breeders concentrating on yellow magpies is constant.

These active enthusiasts continuously present animals which are near to the standards.

Especially the following breeders are to be mentioned: Heitmann, Strotjohann, Schumann, G.Wehling and Zillat.

We should continuously strive for expanding our community in order to assure optimal advancements.

The commonly used statement that with a retirement of a longtime specialized breeder, the quality of the race is suffering should not be accepted anymore.

That should be the concern of all of us.

The Australian Avian Research Organization is highly appreciative of
the very informative documentation and excellent photography - courtesy
of Von Uwe Held.