Irrelevantly quite irresistibly about pigeons
Gaberlunzie fell over this tale courtesy of news from Scotland reports by Joe murphy.
Received an email from a lad called Michael who wrote: Hello Joe, I'll bet you know something about the better longer distance pigeons in Scotland. I have one very nice Kirkpatrick cock. This letter comes to you from Washington, USA. Not many Long Distance fliers here. I've read about Krauths as being good across the water in the northern islands. That is the sort I'm interested in. Here's a link if your interested Yours Michael
Site http://www.pigeonstud.com/page110.htm
Bred from one of the best 700-800 mile families of pigeons to ever grace the continent. He is one of our top breeding Krauth stock pigeons. His sire is "Champion The King of the Faroes" winner of 1st Section, 1st Open, Faroes Classic race 740 miles. 3 X a winner from Lerwick 604 miles. One of the most consistant over water racers that ever lived. The grandsire of "Mr One in a Million", as a yearling was the only bird home on the day from Elgin 426 miles.
Dam of "Mr One in a Million" is "Champion Flying Emma" winner of Lerwick 1985, 520 miles, winner of Lerwick 1986, 10th Open Faroes Classic 680 miles in 1987, 2nd Lerwick 1988 520 miles.
Distance champions show up throughout this pigeons pedigree including 1st Barcelona 746 miles.
Children of this cock are now racing in China, Taiwan & Japan.
Joe wrote back to Michael, who replied, 'True long distance' is what it's about and is my main interests for pigeons. I have heard about the quality of Scottish pigeons. I'm not a rich man, and it can cost a small fortune to get good birds and ship them across the ocean. But you never know what can happen; I'm interested to know about those Northern birds from your part of the world.
I have heard about the conditions they fly in Scotland. When they say 700 miles or more, it isn't Kansas, or Belgium. The climate is equally challenging, and similar to our own here in the Northwest, if not more severe.
The isolation also has served to help develop tough performers, at least in the past. I have heard the phrase 'The King of the Faroes' from two sources, one in the link for the Australian loft I sent previously, and the other from Linda Jonelli, a flier from England now residing in the Northwest USA at http://www.redroselofts.com/long-distance.htm
She told me to look in that direction to find the best extreme LD racers. She has a Barker's which impressed me, having exceptional dense feathering and excellent strong buoyant supple form. I suppose Barkers and Krauths are old names now, like Kirkpatricks, and MacAlpines.
I had a group of MacAlpines some years back that were disappointing, and I think this Kirkpatrick is a good bird. The label is not the thing. Names of old families may not mean much, and one hopes the qualities have been preserved and improved by a good breeder. Thank you for offering to look for such a fancier. I would like to find someone like that, who is known by his fruits. Best of luck in your racing and breeding, and thanks for your correspondence. Kind Regards, Michael’
Joe had spoken to Ian Gill from Northern Ireland who has the www.Pigeonportial.co.uk site as Ian had the Krauth and he is going to write to Michael. if anyone would like to corresponded with him then drop me a line and I will give you his email address. While on about web sites you will see that I have now added my article to a new web page which is highlighted at the bottom of this article.
Source: http://www.elimarpigeons.com/Article4/JM19508.htm
http://www.pigeonstud.com/page110.htm
Alt web: http://www.pigeonglobe.co.uk/ (for reporting stray pigeons also!)