(3) Training losses. Forcing the birds to undertake distant flying before they become properly settled to a location causes frequent losses during the training stage. Care should be taken to limit the first few training flights to distances of approximately 1 mile or less.
(4) Catching pigeons. The pigeoneer should avoid quick or sudden movements in the loft and should never chase the birds in order to catch them. When it is necessary to catch pigeons during daylight hours, close the blackout windows or insert the shutters to darken the loft. The pigeons may then be picked up easily with the aid of a flashlight. The pigeoneer should avoid catching the pigeons in the loft immediately after their return from a training flight.
36. Delivering Pigeons by Parachute
a. Equipment. Parachute equipment PG-100/CB consists of a collapsible, cylinder-type, 4-bird container and a 6-foot hemispherical baseball-type parachute with a quick release clip. Parachute equipment PG-101/CB is of similar design except that the container has an 8-bird capacity and is attached to a 9-foot parachute. This equipment is specifically designed to supply initially or to resupply pigeons to infantry parachute troops, infantry glider troops, or any isolated forces requiring delivery of pigeons by air.
Figure 34. Factory-packed parachute equipment PG-100/CB, containing pigeons.
b. Instructions for use. To insure safe delivery of the pigeons, caution must be observed when attaching containers to the parachutes.
Figure 35. Parachute laid out on flat surface.