1. Peter Admires the Racing Pigeons

Rosehill Downs

Peter the pigeon was sitting on his nest at the top of a tall fir tree when he spotted a flock of birds approaching at high speed. "Dad," he said, "look at these birds, look how fast they fly, and look at that arrow shaped formation, how can they fly like that?"

"Well my son," replied his dad Tubby, "they are the famous Special Bird Squadron (SBS) out of West Malvern, Worcestershire. Every weekday at about 11 o'clock in the morning they fly across the Rosehill Downs, circle once, and return to their Malvern Head-Quarters (HQ)."
"They are pigeons like us my son but they are military racing pigeons, they are an elite corps, the aristocrats of the pigeon world.  They have been well educated and bred to assist this country in time of war.  Their descendants have served in foreign fields for many generations, in many conflicts, and most have been decorated with medals.  You should be proud to be a wood pigeon my son; we are closely related to those boys."

"Yes but they are all toffee-nosed big heads," says Peter's mum Polly.  "They live a life of luxury at Malvern HQ as they call it, under the care of a human called Wing Commander 'Ducky' Drake.  They don't have to scratch around for food in the fields like us.  All is provided for them by the Commander who employs a sea gull as their chef.  Word has it that they live in a top of the range pigeon loft with carpets and they even have central heating."

Peter

Peter's Dad, Tubby

Peter's Mum, Polly

"I wish I could fly that fast," said Peter, "I would fly with my mates in formation; but it can't be done when you are our size."  "Why are we so fat dad?" enquired Peter, "when those pigeons are so slim and athletic."   "As I explained to you my son they are a different breed. It doesn't matter what they eats; they don't get fat."  "Some of them is positively anorexic if you ask me", said Peter's mum. "Being that slim cannot be healthy," she added.

From that day on, at about 11 o'clock, Peter watched out for the SBS.  He studied their ariel manoeuvres and marvelled at how they were able to swap positions at high speed in order to share the workload at the front of the formation.  He noticed that generally there were twenty-one birds flying in an arrow head shape.  Some days the number of birds was reduced to fifteen and even twelve but the same arrow head formation was retained.

Special Bird Squadron (SBS)

Then, one Friday morning, Peter noticed the Squadron was considerably reduced.  There were nine birds holding a 'V' formation, five on the right and four on the left.  Also, some 200 meters back was a lone bird; apparently struggling to keep up with the group.  Then, suddenly, the trailing bird started to descend at a very acute angle and crashed on the Rosehill Downs.

"Dad we must help," implored Peter. "OK my son lets go," said Peter's dad.  And the two flew off on their rescue mission.

To be continued... 

Photographic Acknowledgements

The above images were provided, with thanks, by the following organisations:

Peter the Pigeon - www.hdnewwallpapers.com 

Rosehill Downs - www.treeshart.com
Peter's Dad, Tubby - www.theclotheslineie.wordpress.com
Peter's Mum, Polly - www.pigeoncontrolinkent.co.uk

Special Bird Squadron - www.nature.com