A REAL GAOL BIRD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3461, 28 February 1912, Page 7

A REAL GAOL BIRD.

PRISONER’S FEATHERED COMPANION. FREE AIR OF LIBERTY. Two strange companions walked out of the Pentridge prison recently, says the Melbourne “Herald.” One had had the means of escape for years, but did not seek to employ them. The other was helpless in so far as escape was concerned.

The one was a bird; the other a man who eight years ago was sent to gaol for housebreaking. Two years ago he was at work on the farm connected with the stockade and a half-fledged minah fluttered at his feet. The convict lifted it gently and carried it to his cell, little thinking what a close companionship between them was to follow. He sought and obtained permission to retain possession of the fledgling, and constructed a cage for it. The bird grew strong and chirpy, and the convict spent many hours in educating what proved to be an apt pupil. Its vocabularly is extensive ,and it became the pet of the prison. One of its quaint inquiries each morning was, “How are you to-day, Mick?” “Feeling good, old boy,” the prisoner would answer, as he would open the door of the cage and whistle to the bird, which would quickly answer the call and follow his master wherever he went. To-day, as stated, they left the gaol, and among the belongings of the man nothing was more tenderly handled than the cage containing the bird, with which he assui’ed the prison authorities he would never part. They came into Melbourne, and, in accordance with the custom of discharged prisoners the man reported himself at Russell street, where he proudly exhibited the bird. “How are you.to-day Mick?” asked the minah, cocking his knowing little head on one side. “Feeling good, old boy,” was the reply. “Come on,* we’ll get along now.” And the free man and The gaol bird went away together. --