Horsehair

We have found a baby song sparrow hanging to the nest by one toe, quite unable to help itself out of the difficulty.

Horsehair makes good stout ropes and can be depended upon to hold on to when the bird gets its toes tangled up in it.

This does not happen often.

Once, when it did happen, the old birds fed the young one until it was grown, the poor prisoner not being able to get away.