Pigeons have an excellent navigational ability, and have frequently been employed for communication in various situations. Julius Caesar used them, as did the Arabs during the Crusades. In World War II, certain pigeons even received decorations for bravery. Pigeon racing, a challenge in which domesticated birds (sometimes referred to as carrier pigeons or homing pigeons) are released to find their way home and the winner is the one who accomplishes this within the least amount of time, has been (and still is) a popular sport.