Did You Know That...

In Russia the keen eyesight of the pigeon is put to a very practical use. At one factory in Moscow, they are used to sort ball-bearings. After four or five weeks of special training, the birds inspect the ball-bearings as they pass on a conveyor. If any show the least blemish, the pigeons peck a special plate which operates a reject sign. The faulty bearing is removed and the birds is rewarded with a few millet seeds.

The Russians claims the pigeons are so expert that they can even detect a fingerprint on a bearing and can inspect 4,000 an hour.