Here are two of the runner-up entries to the Pigeon Load Limerick Contest. The contest, announced in the June issue of miniAIR, is to write a limerick that elucidates this research report:
"Transmitter Loads Affect the Flight Speed and Metabolism of Homing Pigeons," J.A. Gessaman and K.A. Nagy, Condor, vol. 90, 1988, pp. 662?8.
The winner will be announced in the July issue of mini-AIR. Here, in the meanwhile, are some other attempts of interest.
INVESTIGATOR TOBY NORRIS:
A pigeon while on his flight back
To his home loaded up with a sack
Of electronic gear,
Cries "I’m hot, oh dear dear,
And to fly fast I’ve quite lost the knack."
INVESTIGATOR MICHAEL TICE:
A transmitter’s load is sufficient
To increase the drag coefficient
On pigeons that home.
And thus, when they roam
They are slower and less fuel-efficient.