Why Tipplers?
By: Michael J Beat
Date: 1993
Category: General
Across the Los Angeles shipyards in early morning there runs a freeway
passing over allowing many commuters to travel to downtown each day. What
may catch your eye in the early hours is the countless thousands of pigeons
flying over the freeway in an almost endless stream. They glide, soar, and
beat their wings for attention as they seem to spew out of an endless
source.
The result is a cloud of birds without limits or boundaries. Nevertheless,
the supply does seem finite in that the cloud appears to resemble a definite
shape as if the birds were following a leader. Your mind might be inspired
while watching such sights as it certainly has been for me. Such aspirations
did much to keep my love for pigeons alive during the few years I was unable
to keep them. No doubt most people have experienced a similar situation.
Man's intrigue of the air has certainly spanned the centuries. Man's desire
has been to be where only the bird can go--high amongst the clouds.
Airplanes, balloons, space ships, gliders, etc., are all manifestations of
such a yearning. Could it be the same for you? Could it be actually that
man's friend the pigeon is actually a form of longing to fly in limitless
capacity, undeterred direction, and boundless area high amid the skies?
There is no doubt the tippler pigeon is such a manifestation. Tipplers are
not just flying pigeons who glide effortlessly over shipyards for a while.
They display and carry out a continuous desire to fly high and far about the
sky in a perpetual fashion. Any other pigeon will soon settle about, looking
for its home--the ground below. Yet, on the other hand, the tippler's home
is assuredly the sky. Notice how pigeons are not the most adept creature on
the ground. They were not designed for such. A quick study or observation of
their wings, tail, structure, etc., obviously indicates a natural
inclination towards effortless flight. Such qualities enthrall a tippler
enthusiast because he sees the birds in their natural habitat--the air.
Of course, with every source of energy there is a limited supply. We should
never impose our ideal of limitless energy upon our birds, for tipplers do
expend energy, in fact, the energy of which we as trainers have supplied in
the form of food to each individual bird. But, could the challenge be
quenched? Not if the tippler man can help it! The quest for a better bird, a
longer flyer, and a more controllable bird will never wane so long as the
tippler man is around. Such individuals enjoy the challenge of creating the
ideal.
Other pigeons are just as adept at flight so, why tipplers? For some, the
excitement aroused from racing pigeons from afar is enough for them. But
could it be that they miss out of the true excitement? The pigeon who flies
from afar is actually not seen until the end of the race. Therefore the
enjoyment or excitement arises from the ANTICIPATION of their arrival. Not
so with tipplers! They create a style uniquely their own, raking back and
forth, appearing and reappearing as if to say, "See me," "Look at me," or
"Watch me fly!" Of course, in such a manner those birds who find themselves
in trouble will find relief when the auspicious eyes of the trainer
identifies the fatigue. Not so with the racing bird whose trouble signs go
unnoticed to the demise not only of the race but also of the bird at times.
Could rollers be a suitable flying bird? Whereas their short-lived
excitement is surely thrilling, where is the interaction of bird with
trainer? Tippler flyers indeed know their birds well. In fact, the more a
trainer has in-depth knowledge of his birds, the better will his results be.
His intimacy teaches him the signs to watch for. At times when tipplers
learn the routine, their behavior changes from "trainee" to "trainer." They
sometimes approach the loft (though not tired) with the idea that by
spreading the tail, going into a partial stall, and knocking that water out
of their ears, THEY can induce the droppers to appear. Of course, they're
right at times because we as trainers fall for it! A trainer can in this way
be trained if he does not carefully watch for the bluff. Hence, we might
identify the tippler man as the individual who keenly examines his birds
(not so with the roller flyer who merely watches his birds.) Or another way
plainly said: tipplers are up because the trainer hasn't said "enough" and
the rollers are up because the birds haven't said "enough."
Regardless, individuals must decide for themselves as to what motivates him
to keep on flying tipplers or whatever else. Yet, could there ever be
anything as rewarding as the final results of painful, extensive, and
laborious training of their birds? Tipplers may at times prove to be quite a
formidable challenge. Many times there are heartaches, disappointments,
losses, and let-downs. These contribute to a true sense of challenge because
in Just about every case the fault lies not in the birds but to some mistake
of the trainer. To discern the error and correct the situation indeed takes
time and much effort. But, who can say the pay-off is not large? No, not
monetary pay-off but satisfaction pay-off. To achieve a well-trained flying
kit that will fly from dawn to dusk is a marvelous feeling of
accomplishment.
Why? Because not all will achieve such a feat. Yet, for those brave enough
to classify themselves as the most dedicated--to them belong the skies.
So if ever asked "Why Tipplers?" then plainly state the truth--the expected
results of hard work and perseverance are all the reward one needs. Somehow,
there is the elated thrills that come with each generation of youngsters.
Each round of youngsters sometimes brings expected results and sometimes
not.
However, guaranteed is the aspiration we behold in hoping that in every case
we will breed that fine set of young birds that will do a better job than
the set before. Even though some birds will be eliminated because of
inherently not being able to "make-the-grade," there is a bright future
ahead for those that can. We keep on our rigorous program for the hope that
somehow our efforts will be rewarded, but isn't it interesting to note how
our efforts always seem to be rewarded regardless?
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