Another pigeon destringed and a trailer for Elizabeth’s game

I went to Union Square to get a few things yesterday but did not plan to attempt any pigeon destringing as my trusty helper Ben couldn’t come, so I left the net at home. However, I still investigated the pigeon situation to see who was there and immediately saw two birds foraging on the ground, both with stringfoot. One of the birds was in a bad way – limping, unpreened and generally dishevelled – so I focused on him and miraculously managed to catch him with my bare hands. This is the first time I have ever done that. I have figured out a technique now but I think I was also helped by this poor bird’s ill health or age as his reflexes weren’t as quick as the other birds I’ve tried to catch. After catching him I was a bit stuck as I hadn’t taken a cloth to wrap the bird in although I did have my destringing kit. A kind lady sitting nearby offered to help and while I was holding the bird she cut away the string. The poor animal was missing several toes already and there were previous…