Pigeon Starter

A 19th Century US Patent Model from the Rothschild Patent Museum. This is a 3D scan of a working miniature replica.

The term 'Trapshooting' originated from startling pigeons in cages with devices such as these. Lowering the cat model onto latches kept the spring tensed; pulling the string unlatched the cat, surprising pigeons into flight.

https://www.google.com/patents/US159846?dq=us+159846&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OEG0U9fxBsWSyASg64DQDg&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA