Young carrier pigeons are liberated on their first flight for training purposes, Potomac River, Washington, D.C. The picture was taken when the birds were one half mile from their loft. Short “tosses” up to three miles were usually made by boat on the Potomac River, while the longer tosses were made from a truck. After the pigeons were tossed from the 35-mile liberation point via truck, they were shipped via express train to points of liberation at greater distances. ( NHHC NH 121273)