FIELD-MARSHAL AS SURGEON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21430, 3 September 1931, Page 4

FIELD-MARSHAL AS SURGEON

ACCIDENT TO A BIRD AMPUTATION OF A LEG. How Field-marshal Viscount Allenby amputated the broken leg of a bird , in his private aviary at Kensington was told recently by the famous soldier himself. “It was really only a minor operation,” said Lord Allenby, “ but it saved the little fellow’s life probably, and, as you see, he is now really ‘ alive and kicking,’ though he can kick only when on the wing.” ' ■ .;. ' The hero of so many famous campaigns confessed that the operation was a ticklish job, but soon over. With the help of a little local anesthetic the bird, a corabasson from Africa, apparently suffered no pain, and certainly looked none the worse. A piece of wire across the entrance to the nest caused the accident. When on his regular morning visit to his pets Lord Allenby discovered the injured bird perched on one leg, with the right leg hanging limply from the twig. The bird allowed the field-marshal to take it indoors, where the operation was speedily performed. , The aviary was built to the design and under the personal supervision of the great soldier, who all his life has been a keen student of bird life.