Estopina was an officer of the Spanish Marines. He was in his time an eminent fancier. He was one day requested by the organisers of the International Exhibition of Valencia, to install in the centre of this exhibition a pigeon loft from which 400 pigeons would fly by night. Estopina accepted. He succeeded completely. He worked in the following manner: 400 young pigeons for weaning were placed in the pigeon lofts of the exhibition. Their food was distributed to them solely by night in lamp light, and to the sound of the same whistle. The pigeon lofts, closed all day long, were only opened in the evening for the compulsory flight.
He always released the pigeons 30 minutes before darkness. The first flight lasted 15 minutes, then 16 minutes, 17 minutes etc. One minute more each day. One month later the pigeons were then flying for 45 minutes, this being 15 minutes in complete darkness. Each flight ended with blowing a whistle for recall, whilst the doors were wide open, lighted, and the food was distributed. All the pigeons entered the loft. The flights continued to be lengthened. The release took place later and later. They now went out about 10 o'clock in the evening, and flew one hour in full night darkness.
In the starry night of the exhibition, it was a magnificent spectacle for the public, who were amazed and admired these pigeons of which the undersides of the light coloured wings sparkled in the light of the innumerable lamps, and the rustling of the beating wings attracted the glances of the interested visitors.
At the first sound of the whistle, the pigeons came back, flying at full speed and landed through the open doors of the pigeon loft which were illuminated. It was admirable: a circus training brought to perfection.
Taken from Pierre Dordin, The complete Fancier, His Life, His Pigeons, His Studies, by Dr. Tim Lovel
