(5) _Use of pigeon equipment PG-103/CB and PG-105/CB._ Pigeons to be used for carrying messages should be released from these 2- or 4-bird containers after a brief interval of confinement. This will accustom them to the boxes before combat use. Make sure fresh water is available for the birds during confinement period. [Illustration: _Figure 29. Cage PG-50, containing pigeons._ TL70198] [Illustration: _Figure 30. Releasing pigeons from Pigeon Equipment PG-103/CB._ TL70199] _c._ ADVANCED TRAINING FLIGHTS. Advanced training of military pigeons is primarily directional flight training, that is, releasing training pigeons to fly back in one general direction from various distances along the same course. The course may be north, south, east or west as determined by the location of the loft in relation to the point of release. Directional flights are the most suitable for military use, since speed and reliability of the bird are considerably increased and the time involved in training is comparatively short. If properly trained, however, pigeons will return to their loft from reasonable distances in any direction. A return flight from a direction different from the trained line of flight would be called a nondirectional flight. The speed from nondirectional flights will usually be slower and less reliable than from directional flights. This is particularly true when the pigeon must fly from the opposite direction of the trained line of flight. For nondirectional flights to be reliable, pigeons should be given training tosses from varying distances from all points of the compass. Since this type of training is not stressed in the Army Pigeon Service the subject will not be discussed any further. [Illustration: _Figure 31. Pigeon Equipment PG-105/CB, containing pigeons._ TL70200]