Science: The Pigeons, Alas

Homing pigeons are in serious trouble. Many fanciers fear that some mysterious influence is confusing or destroying their famous homing instinct. Last week the Homing Pigeon Club of Tucson, Ariz, released 109 well-trained birds at Lordsburg, N. Mex. Club members expected at least 95 of them to find their way back the 135 miles to home lofts in Tucson, but only five birds made it. No one knows what happened to the other 104. Said Member Tracy Prater, onetime Army pigeoneer: "Every club has a 'smash' race once in a while, but that is...

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