JH was implying that Michigan was the bird (and the people holding the bird were controlling HIS fate). He wasn't implying that Michigan was holding the bird.
I think that's kind of ridiculous --- but I think that was JH's message with the story.
The proper response to JH as he tells the story: wasn't Iowa the bird and Michigan the one holding the bird? Why did you not kill that bird and take care of things on your own?