Pigeon whistle

A pigeon whistle of the tubular type. The pigeon whistle, known in China as geling 鴿鈴 or geshao 鴿哨, is a small musical instrument belonging to the Aeolian group of musical instruments. It is attached to the tail of a pigeon with the help of a spindle, so that it emits a sound when the bird flies. The whistle is usually made of light materials such as gourd and bamboo, and is lacquered.

Skušek’s collection of pigeon whistles contains three different types of instruments, distinguished by their shape: gourd, tube, and combined. This one is the tubular type, in which a bamboo cap with a slot at the top of the structure is attached to the tube. The most common examples of this type have three, five or two tubes. In Skušek’s collection we find only one specimen, a well-preserved double-whistle type. On the longer whistle is engraved the maker’s logo, which is identical to the logo found on gourd flutes with floral motifs. The flute is made entirely of bamboo in its natural colour, as is the connecting plate. In combination with other whistles attached to a flock of pigeons, this type is said to have a cheerful and lively sound colour in the alto range. (KH)