Transcriber’s Notes: Italic text is marked _thus_. Bold text is marked =thus=. The spelling, punctuation and hyphenation are as the original, except for apparent typographical errors, which have been corrected. _WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL TM 11-410_ _This manual supersedes TM 11—410, 10 September 1940_ THE HOMING PIGEON [Illustration: War Office emblem] _WAR DEPARTMENT • JANUARY 1945_ _DISSEMINATION OF RESTRICTED MATTER._ The information contained in restricted documents and the essential characteristics of restricted material may be given to any person known to be in the service of the United States and to persons of undoubted loyalty and discretion who are cooperating in Government work, but will not be communicated to the public or to the press except by authorized military public relations agencies. (See also par. 23b, AR 380-5, 15 Mar 44.) _U. S. Government Printing Office Washington: 1945_ WAR DEPARTMENT Washington 25, D. C., 1 January 1945 TM 11-410, The Homing Pigeon, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned. [AG 300.7 (6 Nov 44)] BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: OFFICIAL: G. C. MARSHALL J. A. ULIO _Chief of Staff_ _Major General_ _The Adjutant General_ DISTRIBUTION: AAF (10); AGF (10); ASF (10); Arm & Sv Bd (2); Dept (10); Tech Sv (2); Sv C (10); PC & S (1); Gen & Sp Sv Sch (10); USMA (1); ROTC (1); ROTC, Lib (1); A(10); CHQ (10); D(2); Bn(1); Bn 11(2); C 11(5); T/O & E 11-39 (50) For explanation of symbols, see FM 21-6. CONTENTS ★★ _Paragraph_ _Page_ SECTION I. GENERAL Purpose 1 1 Methods 2 1 Origin and history 3 1 Nature 4 1 Utility 5 2 II. DESCRIPTION General appearance 6 3 Weight 7 3 Plumage 8 3 Head 9 3 Neck 10 3 Body 11 3 Respiratory channels 12 5 Digestive organs 13 6 Bloom or milt 14 6 Molt 15 8 Varieties of feathers 16 9 III. CARE