If my bird lays an egg in your garden, who does that egg belong to?
If my bird lays an egg in your garden, who does it belong to? — Franz Liszt
As many have said, I believe this comes down to law, however as you touched on-
If I give birth in your house, does the baby belong to you? — Franz Liszt
The thing is, I believe the difference is that there are four factors in the first example-you, the bird, the egg and I-but in the second example-you, the baby and I.
So I would of course argue that the baby is yours, as would almost anyone else, however that's not what's being asked in the first question. In the first point, the question is of whether it belongs to you or I, but to build on
@0 thru 9
The egg belongs to neither you nor me. The egg belongs to the bird. (duh... lol). — 0 thru 9
Of course, while I believe wholely in animal rights, as law goes, the egg does not belong to the bird, rendering these two arguments unparallel, however if you were to say "If my underaged daughter of whom I still have responsibility gives birth in your house, who does the baby belong to?"
Of course, I would still say me until my daughter is of age, and so, even if it is not the case by law, I would say in any modern, civilised society, the egg should belong to the bird, but if not, then you.