Improved Devices Representative of Birds or Animals for Use at Theatrical and like Entertainments.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left. 6th Aug. 1889-Accepted. 7th Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by WALTER STANTON, a subject of the Queen of
Great Britain, residing at present in New York City, in the United States of
North America.]
Improved Devices Representative of Birds or Animals for Use at
Theatrical and like Entertainments.
I, ST. JOHN VINCENT DAY of 115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to a construction or device that is capable of being employed
in theatrical or other entertainments and is designed and intended to simulate a bird
or other animal, certain parts of the bird being so constructed and arranged that
they may be operated from the inside thereby adding to the effect.
The frame work of the bird is covered with the plumage, the said plumage being
constructed as follows:-
A strip of leather or paste-board or other suitable material bas a number of
feathers sewn to it and after said feathers are sewn on it is overlaid with another set
by means of which the plumage may be built up, the smaller feathers on the inside
and the larger feathers on the outside by means of which arrangement the plumage
will appear natural.
Attached to the frame work are bands formed preferably of spring metal which clasps
the body of the operator by means of which the frame work is secured in position both
around the waist and around the legs of the operator. The feet are enclosed in leather.
or other covering and slip into the feet of the bird. Cords or strings oxtond to the
tail, beak and eyelids and the wings of the bird by means of which the operator can
work the same.
sack or bag is provided which can be inflated by means of bellows. The figure
in this case is designed to simulate a pouter pigeon.
A screen or gauze formed of crape or metal is also provided and located in the neck
of the bird which provides a means for the breathing and talking of the operator. The
part may be covered slightly with small feathers for the purpose of hiding it.
The head of the bird consists of a hood which is mounted over the body of the said
bird and over the head of the operator.
A pipe is also provided which runs into the beak of the bird and communicates
with the mouth of the operator affording meáns for drinking from a vessel.
The flap, when opened provides means for the operator to enter who, when inside
can draw the said flap up and put it in place. Instead of opening the breast
it may be opened at the back, whichever inay be deemed preferable.
methods are however employed according to the construction of the bird.
Dated this 30th day of December 1888
Both
ST. JOHN V. DAY,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Devices Representative of Birds or Animals for Use at
Theatrical and like Entertainments.
I, ST. JOHN VINCENT DAY, of 115 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement —
This Invention relates to a construction or device that is capable of being employed

page_text: in theatrical or other entertainments and is designed and intended to simulate a bird
or other animal, certain parts of the bird being so constructed and arranged that they
may be operated from the inside thereby adding to the effect.
The frame-work of the bird is covered over with the plumage said plumage being
constructed as follows:-
A strip of leather or paste-board or other suitable material has a number of feathors
sewn to it as shown and after said feathers are sewn on, it is overlaid with another
set by means of which the plumage may be built up as shown, the smaller feathers on
the inside and the larger feathers on the outside by means of which arrangement the
plumage will appear natural.
Attached to the frame-work are bands formed preferably of spring metal which
clasp the body of the operator by means of which the frame-work is secured.in position
both around the waist and around the legs of the operator. The feet are enclosed in
leather or other covering and slipped into the feet of the bird. Cords or strings
extend to the tail, beak and eyelids and the wings of the bird by means of which the
operator can work the same. A sack or bag is provided which can be inflated by
means of bellows. The figure in this case is designed to simulate a pouter pigeon.
A screen or gauze of crape or metal is also provided and located in the neck of the
bird which provides a means for the breathing and talking of the operator. The part
may be covered slightly with small feathers for the purpose of hiding it. The head
of the bird consists of a hood which is mounted over the body of the said bird and
over the head of the operator. A pipe is also provided which runs into the beak of
the bird and communicates with the month of the operator affording means for drinking
from the vessel.
The flap when opened provides means for the operator to enter and when inside
can draw the said flap up and put it in place. Instead of opening the breast it may
be opened at the back-whichever may be deemed preferable. Both methods are
however employed according to the construction of the bird.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification:
Figures 1, 2 and 3, represent various forms of mechanical birds with my invention
applied.
Figure 4, is a detail view of my method of assembling and securing the feathers to
constitute the plumage.
Figure 5, is a detail view.
In these drawings, the frame-work A, of the bird is covered over with the
plumage B, said pluinage being constructed as follows:-
A strip of leather or paste-board or other suitable material C, has a number of
feathers sewn to it as shown, and after said feathers are sewn on it is overlaid with
another set by means of which the plumage may be built up as shown in Figure 4;
the smaller feathers on the inside and the larger feathers on the outside by means of
which arrangement the plumage will appear natural.
Attached to the frame-work are bands D, formed preferably of spring metal which
clasp the body of the operator as shown in Figure 2, by means of which the frame-
work is secured in position both around the waist and around the legs of the operator.
The feet are enclosed in leather or other covering and slipped into the feet of the
bird as shown in Figure 2. Cords or strings S, extend to the tail, beak, eyelids and
wings of the bird by means of which the operator can work the same.
In Figure 3, I also provide a sack or bag K, which can be inflated by means of
bellows L. The Figure in this case is designed to simalate a pouter pigeon. At G,
I also provide a screen or gauze formed of crape or metal and located in the neck
of the bird which provides a means for the breathing and talking of the operator.
The part may be covered slightly with small feathers for the purpose of hiding it.
The head H, of the bird consists of a hood which is mounted over the body of the
said bird and over the head of the operator. In Figure 2, I show a pipe. P, which
runs into the beak of the bird and cominunicates with the mouth of the operator
affording means for the operator to drink from the vessel. In Figure 5, I show
the frame-work of the bird shown in Figure 1. The flap F, when opened affords

page_text: means for the operator to enter and when inside to draw the said flap up and put
it in place. Instead of opening in the breast as shown in Figure 1, it may be
opened at the back, whichever may be deemed preferable. I however employ both
methods according to the construction of the bird.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. A mechanical bird consisting of a suitable frame-work over which is mounted
a canvas or other covering having feathers arranged and fastened in the manner
described to simulate a bird.
Second. In combination with the mechanical bird, an elastic portion capable of
being expanded and contracted as shown and described.
Third. A mechanical bird constructed substantially as shown and described and
provided with a screen consisting preferably of a crape gauze located in the neck of
the bird through which the operator can breathe and talk.
Fourth. The combination in a mechanical bird, of suitable connections extending
to the tail, beak, eyelids and wings by means of which the operator can work the same.
Fifth. In a mechanical bird, the combination of springs for clasping around the
thighs and waist for automatically securing the frame of the bird to the operator.
Sixth. In a mochanical bird, shoes constructed substantially as shown and described
and for the purposes set forth."
Seventh. In a mechanical bird, the combination of the frame-work constructed sub-
stantially as shown and described provided with a hood containing the head which is
mounted upon the frame-work and a flap for closing the opening in the body around
the legs of the operator.
Eighth. In a mechanical bird, the method of assembling, arranging and fastening
the feathers to produce the effect shown consisting of a strip of material having a
number of feathers sewn to it and overlaid with another set.
Ninth. In a mechanical bird, a pipe or tube located in the bill as and for the
purposes set forth.
August 100.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.