"The must-have guide for anyone passionate about keeping, breeding or racing pigeons." -- Cover

A fictional account of what happens when the world's most valuable bird, a champion Belgian racing pigeon, escapes and becomes the pet of a group of inner-city children. They have no idea of the bird's value but raise babies from the bird that win a major race, against long odds. An educational and heartwarming story of how the pigeon sport, and pedigreed homing pigeons, functions. Based on the international awarding-winning filmmaker, and author's, more than 50 years of experience in the pigeon hobby.

A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR Longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 'Rich and joyous ...The book's quiet optimism about our ability to change, and to learn to love small things passionately, will stay with me for a long time' Helen Macdonald 'Big-hearted and quietly gripping' Guardian 'I love Jon Day's writing and his birds. A marvellous, soaring account' Olivia Laing '[A] beautiful book about unbeautiful birds' Observer 'This is nature writing at its best' Financial Times 'Awash with historical and literary detail, and moving moments ... Wonderful' Telegraph 'Every page of this beautifully written book brought me pleasure' Charlotte Higgins 'A vivid evocation of a remarkable species and a rich working-class tradition. It's also a charming defence of a much-maligned bird, which will make any reader look at our cooing, waddling, junk-food-loving feathered friends very differently in future' Daily Mail 'Endlessly interesting and dazzlingly erudite, this wonderful book will make a home for itself in your heart' Prospect As a boy, Jon Day was fascinated by pigeons, which he used to rescue from the streets of London. Twenty years later he moved away from the city centre to the suburbs to start a family. But in moving house, he began to lose a sense of what it meant to feel at home. Returning to his childhood obsession with the birds, he built a coop in his garden and joined a local pigeon racing club. Over the next few years, as he made a home with his young family in Leyton, he learned to train and race his pigeons, hoping that they might teach him to feel homed. Having lived closely with humans for tens of thousands of years, pigeons have become powerful symbols of peace and domesticity. But they are also much-maligned, and nowadays most people think of these birds, if they do so at all, as vermin. A book about the overlooked beauty of this species, and about what it means to dwell, Homing delves into the curious world of pigeon fancying, explores the scientific mysteries of animal homing, and traces the cultural, political and philosophical meanings of home. It is a book about the making of home and making for home: a book about why we return.

This authoritative book is aimed particularly at those who participate in racing pigeons at distances of over five hundred miles but will be of value to all pigeon fanciers. John Clements succeeds in making the reader view the humble pigeon in a different light and ensures that he, or she, gains a deeper appreciation of the enormous joy and satisfaction that can be gained from long-distance pigeon racing.Contains detailed accounts of interviews with the owners of nine top British and Continental lofts involved in long-distance pigeon racing. The interviews cover a wide range of important issues including the acquisition of stock, the treatment of young birds and yearlings, feed, health and immunity. Other subjects covered include loft management, cleaning, construction and ventilation, the pairing and exercising of the birds, the systems used (widowhood, on the nest, or both) race preparation and many other subjects. Well illustrated with over 170 colour photographs, pedigree charts and postcards. This easily accessible, informative and analytical book is essential reading for pigeon fanciers everywhere.The objective of the book is to make the reader look at the humble pigeon in a different light and gain satisfaction from the joy of long-distance racing. Provides fascinating accounts of interviews with the owners of nine successful lofts.John Clements is a dedicated commentator on long-distance pigeon racing; an enthusiastic supporter of international racing and has a regular weekly column in British Homing World.

Racing Pigeons: A Manual describes the historical use of homing pigeons for communications and is a manual for the pigeon racing sport. Descended from the wild Blue Rock dove, homing pigeons have been highly valued since ancient times for sending messages in times of peace and war. Today's homing pigeons have been bred to perform better than ever. Pigeon racing has developed into a worldwide hobby and is the national sport of Belgium. In 2013, a champion Belgian pigeon was sold for $400,000. Some pigeon races offer a million dollars in prize money but it can also be a hobby for ordinary folks who raise pedigreed pigeons and fly them for pleasure. This book explains how pigeon racing can be enjoyable and affordable with information on getting started, instructions for establishing a loft, breeding and training programs, and details about pigeon racing on a modest budget. The author has over fifty years of experience with racing pigeons, raising them, importing and exporting them, and winning races in international competition. In our fast paced electronic and impersonal age, homing pigeons can be a relaxing, challenging and rewarding family activity, appealing to people of all backgrounds. The author mentions some celebrities who have been homing pigeon fanciers. Pigeon racing in an under-publicized activity in America. Racing Pigeons: A Manual unveils this unique hobby and sport.

Jim Emerton bred and raced birds for 40 years and had birds return to the loft from as far as 879 miles away. Now in retirement from active racing, he devotes his time and energies to sharing his experiences, his observations and his expertise with the rest of the fancy. Here in one volume is a comprehensive collection of his thoughts about pigeons and pigeon racing, ranging from short pieces originally written for the leading fanciers? magazines to full-length articles and interviews. What unites us in principle is the common good of the sport, and with this in mind I do what I can for others ? it all oils the cogs of the sport. Some will see me as a know-all, yet I am a quiet little man making my mark, that's all. What is true is that I have made a life study of pigeons, and as a teacher I like to impart knowledge and experience? My aim is purely to tell it as it is to me, and if this is illuminating to others, then so be it.?

"Pigeons and man enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship dating back to Ancient Egypt and beyond. The birds have served their human keepers as messengers, companions, and extraordinary athletes. They have delivered messages that turned the tide of financial affairs and diverted the course of war. Some birds have even been decorated for their battlefield heroism. Pigeon racing calls upon the birds' remarkable homing abilities, speed, and endurance. These impressive abilities are refined through selective breeding and progressive training programs that become a consuming pastime for pigeon 'fanciers.' Pigeon Racing offers a broad-based introduction to pigeon husbandry, health, breeding, and competition for the novice enthusiast ... The text includes information on loft design and outfitting, common health problems, and basic training. It explores race formats and administration and explains the intricacies of timing. The extensive glossary serves as an introduction to the pigeon-racing vernacular. Racing pigeons are not the feral birds you see perched on power lines and rooftops. They are marathon fliers, relying on their innate sense of direction and heart to achieve remarkable results."--Publisher's description.