It was found that exposed birds took longer to get home, flew at lower levels and were reluctant to go near transmitters.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Phone masts 'confusing' pigeons

So we turned left and flew over lower mountains, under clearer skies.

FORBES: Bleary-Eyed In Bozeman

We flew on, slower and lower than before.

NEWYORKER: The Next Crusade

As if to dismiss that as too simple a challenge, according to press reports of the day, he then flew under at least three other, much lower, bridges - London Bridge, Blackfriars and Waterloo - before stepping ashore at Westminster to be greeted by a cheering crowd who had gathered to meet a dignitary expected by boat from Paris.

BBC: Frank McClean: Forgotten pioneer of the sky

The White House apologised after a presidential jet accompanied by a fighter aircraft flew low and close to tall buildings, causing consternation in lower Manhattan , with some workers fleeing their offices.

ECONOMIST: Politics this week