thanks silver wings, yes one very kind member sent me 2 quality young birds down from scotland recently, (J.W) and am reading up more on the distance birds, but like you said, im in no rush for results & races, so may breed a couple in the spring, i just think that they are much more inteligent than the sprint birds & a few people have won the shorter races with these kind of birds too. (jim, both birds doing fine & very healthy)