STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep. Pigeon racing is a popular pastime in Western Europe, has been for generations, and now its old-world charm enchants new wealthy fans. A hen bred in Belgium - she's named New Kim - just fetched a record price at auction - $1.9 million. The anonymous Chinese buyer also bought the previous record holder last year, although that bird went for a song - a mere $400,000. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.