The ' doves ' were actually white homing pigeons .
The idea was that the birds released during the afternoon performance would return to their roost , ready for re-use in the evening ( but Bill Wagstaff always kept a few ' spare ' birds in reserve ! )
The ' doves ' were actually white homing pigeons and the idea was that the birds released during the afternoon performance would return to their roost , ready for re-use in the evening ( but Bill Wagstaff always kept a few ' spare ' birds in reserve ! )