The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-10-07
BIRDS OF FINE FEATHER.
Visit 10 the Only Ostrich Farm In
America.


As we drew near, says correspondent in
Los Angeles, boards bearing the legend,
"Ostrich farm visitors admitted only on
Sundays and Wednesdays" and placed in
conspicuous positions, met the eye. We
| looked at each other in despair, for this was
| Friday. "Oh, they can't be 80 cruel as
not to let us in, when we've driven twenty
two miles to sec the ostriches, said our hope
| full one. We came TO row of posts, and
painted on the fence near by was tho man
date, Hitch horses here" We were met
by tho inevitable Chinaman, who in pigeon
English gave us to understand that the
"boss was away but he thought We
could see the birds. He led US to tho en-
trance to the enclosure and disappeared.
Presently he returned, bringing with him
n pleasant faced young man.
Tho Doctor is away" he said, "but /
can show you around" SO saying, he un-
locked the gate and the mysteries were re-
vealed. The large space was subdivided
into many different enclosures, In which
were confined the ostriches. "How many
are there2" "The Doctor imported eleven
pairs, at cost of about 81 900 pair One
killed his mate, which is the only accident
we have had. They are all perfectly well
now and in excellent condition.
While he spoke we heard strange noise,
like the subdued believing of bull.
"Thnt is one of them growing" said our
guide. "That fellow crows all tho time"
We looked at the unsteady inclined ostrich.
His long neck swelled to more than twice
its usual thickness, and he sent forth crow
after crow with great apparent satisfaction.
The old fellow who had killed his mate
seemed greatly enraged by the performances
of his compatriot, and looked as il he would
like TO cross the division fence and commit
another murder. The fences seemed low
Cannot they get cross ?" was asked. "No,
they cannot jump at ALL" we were told
"They are very ill-tempered. Great eau
ton is necessary in approaching them. We
feed them upon alfalfa and green barley,
with corn once day. Their water comes
from an artesian WE'LL" "Does the damp
ness affect their plunes ?" asked lady. L
think it does. Some process of curling and
dressing is necessary before plucking,
which is done about once in nine months.
We get fourteen plumes from each wing"
care these all ?" was another question.
"There are some young ones in the incu.
batting room, but they are not shown to visi
tors. Very few are allowed to enter that
building. had been here some time be-
fore l was permitted to go inside, and we
have o man here now who has been with us
five weeks and has not yet seen the interior.
We keep good watchdog for the sole pur.
pose of guarding the incubating ROOM" Ii
the experiment paying ?" asked the grand
inquistor.n " am not in the doctors con-
fdence," answered our friend.
We walked around, wondering at tn,
strange sight. - Tho enormous creatures
seemed contented, and, as he had said, il
the finest physical condition. lsSome were
eating corn greedily. "The ostrich Of tn,
old-time story books ate pieces of glass and
stones. Apparently you do not feed thes
upon that sort of food" "They prefe
barley and corn for steady diet, though
one of them took fancy to q gold boxe,
compass the other day and ate it with
relish, and we keep heap of shells in eacl
enclosure. "--SprinQtieM Republican.