Materials and Methods
The techniques used in this research are quite straightforward. Homing pigeons are raised in a standard racing pigeon loft and, as youngsters, allowed free flight around the loft. At about 6–8 weeks of age they are trained by being put in baskets and released from increasing distances away from the loft, gradually reaching a distance of 100 to 200 miles. Pigeons are then released singly to train them to fly home alone. To determine the direction each pigeon chooses, it is watched with binoculars and the direction in which it vanishes is recorded. Alternatively, pigeons are equipped with a small radio beacon and followed with radio direction finding equipment. The direction in which the radio signal disappears, typically 5 to 10 km from the release point, is called the radio vanishing bearing. Pigeons with radios were also be followed by airplane on their route home. Michener and Walcott (1967)
and Walcott (1977 and 1992) will provide further details. Recently, global positioning systems have become small and light enough to be carried by pigeons (Steiner et al., 2000). These devices allow one to get detailed and accurate information about a pigeon's homeward track without the necessity of following it (Lipp et al., 2004).
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