IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKING AND IDENTIFYING BIRDS AND ANIMALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS Eм- PLOYED THEREFOR."
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Thomas Rule at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 1st May 1877.
THOMAS RULE, of Harrogate, in the County of York.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN
MARKING AND IDENTIFYING BIRDS AND ANIMALS, AND IN THE APPARATUS Eм-
PLOYED THEREFOR."
"
This Invention relates to improvements in marking and identifying birds and
animals, and in the apparatus employed therefor, with the object of proving their
age or identity hereafter, so as to protect honest exhibitors and others from
fraudulent practices and unfair competition.
To carry out my Invention I proceed as follows:-I make a band, preferably of
gutta percha, but which may also be made either of india-rubber, vulcanite, leather,
lead, tin, or any other suitable metal or material, or of a combination of any of such
materials, and of any convenient size, shape, and thickness. On such band I stamp
or impress by any suitable means, or I attach thereto or suspend therefrom in any
convenient position either conspicuously or otherwise a suitable ring, tally, or token,
bearing a suitable mark, number, letter, or cypher, which together with a particular
description of the bird or animal, whose identification is desired is entered in a
proper book or register kept for that purpose, and wherein if numbers or letters be
employed they will run on seriatim, taking care that each such band, ring, tally,
or token bears a separate and distinct mark, number, letter, or cypher.
When manufacturing such band I prefer to place therein, either centrally or in
any other convenient position, a suitable metal ring or rings, so as to prevent the
band being cut or otherwise tampered with as hereafter mentioned. I then place
such band around one of the legs of the bird or animal, and secure the ends thereof
together by means of a tool somewhat resembling a pair of ordinary pincers or plyers,
on the jaws whereof suitable marks, figures, letters, or cyphers are cut, impressed,
or engraved, so that when closing the ends of the band together (having first
previously heated such tool to a requisite degree), by closing the same over the ends
of the band, corresponding marks, figures, letters, or cyphers are impressed across
the union of the ends or in any other convenient position. When so closed the band
fits closely, but not too tightly round the leg, and is unable to be passed over the
foot or claw, thus necessitating its being cut or otherwise damaged in order to effect
its removal or alteration.

page_text: If preferred the metal ring or rings in the band before referred to, may be
dispensed with, as also the use of any mark, figure, letter, or cypher thereon, and
identification may be determined by the peculiar form of the band alone, but
preferably I employ such rings and marks, as they serve to impart additional
security against any surreptitious attempts at fraud or deception.
By the use of my improved system I effectually prevent all fraudulent attempts
to tamper with the record of the age or identification of a bird or animal, as should
any such be made the marks thereof would at once become apparent upon the band
itself.