I have something similar to those radio shack things. These have two "jaws" but the same basic spring loaded idea. I might need to give them a try.

Warren does that version come with a rubber coating or will I need to modify them if I go that route?

I was very surprised the grouse was so brittle. The starling I kind of expected to be easy to break. Of course on top of that I was working with silk thread which I found was also very brittle.