South Brooklyn Network: Pigeons in the City

#904


	For Noel, all pigeon memories revolve around one bird. His only designation was #904. No name just a number.

		"He was the epitome of racing pigeons. Of all the numbers in my life - social security, telephones, birthdays or anniversaries - 904, I remember it over them all."


Born of a regal line, his progeny could be traced back to a breeder named Hansenne in Belgium who shipped a pair of his pigeons to the United States in the 1920's. He was a gift to Noel from Dominick Dinapoli to inaugurate his first rooftop coop. As a boy, Noel was a stable boy in Dominick's coop. Scraping, cleaning and learning.

	"He was the best racer I ever had," said Noel. "The first time I let him out of the coop, he vanished for four months. He came back on Thanksgiving Day...all dirty and scruffy looking. He'd been living with the feral pigeons."


	"Right after that, he started winning races. He won the Dr. Weltman Memorial Race. Then he bred great offspring. He lived to be 15 years old."


	Carroll Gardens		The South Brooklyn Network


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