Perry's vest dates from the Second world War and was bought specially for him at auction. Although designed for pigeons, Perry's svelte duck physique means that the vest fits him like a strait jacket. However, it doesn't look as though he has donned it correctly.

Pigeon vests were wartime haute-couture for homing pigeons who sported them whilst attached to the parachute harnesses of SOE agents for trips into enemy territory . Having landed safely, the operatives would release the birds who would then fly back to to base with their reports.

The vests were manufactured by Maidenform, an american lingerie company which normally made brassieres. It adapted its expertise in close fitting clothing for the curvey figure to produce the top secret birdwear. Each vest was carefully printed with instructions for use including a strong warning against leaving them on the birds for more than six hours.

Perry's been wearing his for over a year now, so we're a bit worried.

Update: "Commando" one of the orignal wearers of the pigeon vest was awarded the Dickin medal for his bravery in France in 1942  Despite having only a one-in-eight chance of survival, Commando sucessfully completed three trips back from France, carrying top-secret messages in a cannister attached to his leg. Only 60 Dickin medals have ever been awarded. 

Commando's medal was recently auctioned and fetched £9,200 [more from the BBC]

Further information

Article in New York Observer mentioning Maidenform and the Pigeon Vest

Illustrations of Pigeon Vest patterns on the Smithsonian collection.

Illustration of US Army Pigeon Vest (PG-106/CB) "used to carry a pigeon on a soldier's person until time to release for message delivery"

Short history of Maidenform and its founder Ida Rosenthal in the Harvard Magazine mentioning the Pigeon Vest.