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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
A terrible moment remembered. Back in the 1960's my act used 7 doves (I had 14) in performance. I was fairly new and did not have the luxury of interacting and learning from other performing bird men.
The Dove Pan. For some reason during one show, the dove pan bit got moved a trick or two later than normal (no more than 10 or 15 minutes) I produced the bird which was soaked wet and limp. I covered the gaff as best I could and after the show rushed to the vet. The bird recovered but after much distress to the bird (and me). I think if I remember correctly the vet administered some cortizone as he said there might have been brain damage. But the bird was normal after recovery. However...the dove pan was removed from the act. Not to disparage the dove pans...I just didn't want to take the chance again. Accidents will happen but the little birds need thoughtful ATTENTION at all times. The dove pan is not a friendly environment to be left in...load JUST before using.
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Being it looks like confession time, here is my mistake. I was upset and frantic as well.
Many Dove Pans and other magician's animal equipment do not have large enough air hole or large enough for the animals. I to used a Abbott's Pandora Casket and the bird came out all wet and gasping for air. Used it for confetti from then on. I of course took the manufacture word that it was made correctly for birds. Another thing, that was a spur of the moment decision family trick, so I had never put the bird in a container before. It was use to dove bags and body loads. My mistake for sure. Maybe Abbott's calls it a Casket for a reason. LOL |
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hey Billl!
You've reminded me! I had bought 3 doves from the late Jack Larkin during summer lay off from school shows. I worked with them daily for well over a month, to get them accustomed to me. That fall, I stopped in at Abbott's to see Neil Foster and discuss doves. BTW: Neil developed a harness with velcro, etc. and his handling was greata, but, he told me: "I've never used a bird in my show!" I told him that I did not want body loads. I had watched a lot of dove workers, and I wanted practial, safe props that would be comvortable for the birds. We decided on a (Tony Kardyro dove bag, a harness which I could steal from the prop table, and a Pandora Casket. For another month, I conditioned the birds to the props. I thought that the air holes were not nearly ample--and I was right. I loaded the dove, put on the lid, and checked my watch. 10 minutes later, I opened the lid and the bird looked fine, but, when I let her out, she was WET. The next day, I borrowed the school janitors electric drill, and bored 24 holes (1/8") in the area where the birds breast would be, PLUS another 10 holes in the cover. And, I arranged the tube in the prop case so that the lid would not be put on the tube until I picked it up to present the trick. I used that bird in that prop for about 5 years and he was happy. --In a lecture in Omaha, I was showing the routine to the group. The dove was in the cage. It was all magicians, so I loaded the dove in front of them. The bird "hopped" (well, not quite!) into the casket. The group applauded! I asked, "Why are you clapping? I haven't done the trick yet!" It turned out that they were amazed how the bird did not "fight" being loaded. I told them that he had been working for five years, and knew he would be safe, and COMFORTABLE. So! If you guys use doves, and use tha Pandora Casket, ADD lots of air holes in the tube and lid, PLUS, leave the lid off until you pick it up to work.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 24, 2014, Bill Hegbli wrote: HOLY CRIPES, BILL!!! You actually have a sense of humor!! I Laughed Out Loud when I read that!! That's FUNNY!!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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