c o l o p h o n

On the parachuting of some unfortunate pigeons into occupied France, 1917:

“There were inevitably some mishaps. Some of the pigeon parachutes failed to open. Others landed many miles off target. One group of pigeons landed on a hungry section of the Canadian Corps who ate all but one which was sent back to base with a ribald message of thanks.”

“Remarkable myths grew up behind British lines. Best mischievously informed one curious general that he had just succeeded in crossing pigeons with parrots, thus producing super-pigeons capable of reporting by word of mouth. The general not merely failed to see the joke but allegedly reported Best to GCHQ for ‘having divulged most secret information’.”

– Christopher Andrew, Secret Service.