The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-01-23
osTRYCHEs IN FLORIDA.
An Attempt TO Raise the Giant Birds for
Their Feathers In This Country.


A few days ago Mr.. Charlton Jones of
Sylvan Lake, Florida, left this city with
three pairs of fine ostriches, which he re-
Gently received from Nubia. Mr. Jones
intends to raise ostriches for their feathers
Although the climate of Florida is not quite
like that of Nubia, yet he thinks it is very
probable that the giant birds will thrive
and multiply in their new dwelling place.
The ostriches Welding the best feathers
are found in North Africa, but their num-
Der is rather insignificant. Since 1862 the
ostrich farms have greatly multiplied in
Cape Colony, Natal and the Transvaal,
countries lying at the same distance from
the equator as Florida During the last
twenty years the number of domestic
ostriches in those countries has increased
up to 100000, and their yield of feathers
amounts to about "a, 500, 900 WORTH Egypt
raises only about 81 900, 900 worth of feath-
ers, and Algeria, Tunis, and Tripoli Alto
gether hardly 100000 worth. True, the
ostrich feathers raised in the latter coun-
tries are superior to those raised in South
Africa, but the difference is not very great,
and the feathers of Cape Colony are often
sold for those of Egypt.
The Matching of ostrich chicks takes
forty-two days. The eggs are about six
inches long and five inches wide, and are
equal IN bulk to twenty hens eggs.
The ostrich chick in a few days reaches the
size of an ordinary hen. It is covered wit;i
light brown down, through which, on tho
back and wings, project black needles like
those of the hedgehog. The chick of one
month is of the size of a turkey, and its
down has begun to change into minute
feathers. The body of an ostrich half a
year old is about the size of that of an
average man. Its feathers reach good
size, but they are not cast off before it be-
comes a yearling.
Young ostriches are usually kept separate
from the grown up ones. They feed upon
grass, corn, and leaves. They are kept in
small flocks of from twelve to fifteen birds,
in place surrounded by ditch or fence
Of creeping plants. However insecure the
fence may be, the ostriches never attempt
to pass it. II often happens TINT domestic
ostriches attack men, and particularly
strangers, although in the wild state they
usually shun man. When attacking a
man an ostrich strives to strike him with
its feet. Such blows are very dangerous,
There have been cases in which the spine
of horse has been broken by them. IL a
man has no arms TO defend himself, and no
way Of escape, the best thing for hin to do
is to throw himself ON the ground, for then
the ostrich cannot strike him II hard blow.
When enraged, however, the ostrich does
not leave its victim, but watches him until
he rises, and then furiously renews the at
tack. Under such circumstances man
has only one means of escape, namely,
creeping to some place of safety such rs a
tree, river, or ditch
The fights among male ostriehes are very
savage and bloody. The males bravely
defend their neats, and they sit on the eggs
from 8 2. NJ. To An, nsl,e.s tl,e fesysela,
tnle the post and remain on the nest unit
8 p. NJ While ON the nest the ostrich lay
its neck on the ground, so that an mex
perienced person might mistake it for
heap of earth. On leaving the nest ever
domestic ostriches make several jumps md
curious motions calculated to mslead then
enemies In case of danger ostriches try
to hide themselves in bushes or behind
stones. Wildcats, hyenas, jackals, wolves,
and tigers are the enemies of ostriches III
their native land The tricks to which these
beasts resort in order to break the ostrich
eggs are well known. Ostrich farmers us
ually bait the beasts with poisoned meat to
save their hocks.
Florida abounds in alligntors, which are
near cousins of the crocodiles of the Nile.
Why, then, may not ostriches thrive in
Florida Mem York Sun.