I was once walking behind the Great Hall at the University of Newcastle (Australia) and I heard a rsutling in a steel-pipe chimney that rose from the ground next to the back wall, right up to well over the roof about 30m above. I assumed that it was a sparrow or a starling and I was a bit saddened to know that there was no way that the bird could ever get out. Then I notived that there was a plated bolted to the bottom, but it was risted on and painted over. I ran to my car but has no tools other than an old spanner (wrench) under my seat. It took about 15 minutes of struggling but eventually I was able to unscrew all the bolts, and pry the plaet off. Immediately a kooaburra flew out, clipping my ear and heading arrow-like into the bush. Startled me so much that I dropped the plate on my foot. But the satisfaction of knowing that the poor bird hadn't had to suffer a lingering death in a black pipe more than made up for it!

This reminds me of when my parents moved house many years ago - about 600 yds distance. Their big black cat didnt take well to the move and kept going back to the previous house (next door neighbour was a butcher). Yet again we were called on to go rescue the missing kitty. Pitch dark - in a back alley calling "Charlie" - answering "miaoww" from just inside the old garden. Scooped up Charlie - back into the car and back to my parents cuddling it all the way . I was half way down the stairs at the house when I took a closer look --- Sh*t - I had kidnapped someone elses moggy - a very angry looking large black cat with FANGS