The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-23
THE BIRD OF THE DESERT.
Habits OF the Cstrich-A Glance at an
Ostrich Farm.

Habits OF the Cstrich-A Glance at an
Ostrich Farm.
That ostriches are no simpletons, and
have ways and fashions distinctively
| their own, may not besquestioncd.
just as well as would human folk, do
they know when intruders have invaded
their premises; even more, they discover
at glance whether the newly laid treas
ures have been touched, and alack- a day
should but one egg be missing, or per-
chance the shell of one be cracked, never
more will the insuted bird of the desert
brood and watch over that outraged nur-
sery. Devotion turns to fury, and scorn-
ing to raise a broken-up family circle,
mammoth feathered folk smash every egg
left and hop frantically over the desc,
lated remains
The nest of an ostrich is not by any
means an elegant affair; it is not even
pretty, yet in accordance with their ideas
and needs, "the hollow of ample proper
tions, scooped in the sandy soil," offers
| every possibility of comfort; all the bet
ter should the selected home place be
shielded by heather or protecting shrubs !;
then, 'with the patience of love, wisps
of grass and tender bits of herbage" are
deftly woven in and out, forming COM
pact and comfortable bed for expected
guests. This snuggery, seven or eight
| feet in diameter is sufficient for family
accommodation, and here for a time the
mammoth guardians rest content, tre
quently turning the eggs, that each side
may have its due share of warmth.
After time Madame Ostrich asser
her right to the freedom of the plain,
| leaving to her partner all charge of house
hold matters, and, to his credit be it
told, paterfamilias accepts the care
with ferver and faithfulness quite won
| derful; with patriarchal dignity the am
| PIE wings are si-ead protectingly over
| the nest, containing sometimes two score
of eggs, sharing the vigils with calm
content, though it is very uncertain
matter whether ''rations" come regularly
or not; his powers of endurance admit
of long fasts, and he is often put to the
| test.
Madame, roaming at will, utterly ig
nores domestic courtesies; she is OFF for
undisturbed recreation. and only when
evenings are fine, and marauders not
lurking near, does her liege lord stroll
out to catch a savory bite, and stretch
his tired wings and cramped legs.
Of all expeditions common with Sahara
| sportsmen. "the capture of an ostrich
ranks next to the plundcr of a caravan"
SO many, too, are the risks that often sew
| eral horses are sacrificed. When pur-
sued, the wary bird ''courses about in
| CIRCLE" so as often to completely mystify
| it's pursuers, and their f1eetness of move
ment and long strides render strategy
necessary study to hunters. If there be
a large party, some of the horsemen set
forth upon gentle gallop, just to keep
the prey in view, others move at right
angles, and so, often coming upon their
game unawares. but plucky to the last,
the fcathered victim yields only when
exhaustion overtakes him, then express
ing his indignation and wrath by ''kick-
ing vigorously in a sideways fashion. :"
a most ungraceful movement. but ''terri-
bly, effective" as hunters have expert
enced to their sorrow.
| Very dear to the heart of Bushman
are ostrich eggs; on finding nest, he
will, if possible, crowd himself within it,
and courageously await the return of its
owners, ''ro fight it out" Sometimes
he clothes himself in the skin of an os-
trich, and cunningly initiating the gait
and motions of the bird, allures a return
ing one, only to bring him low with the
tiny bow and small arrows commonly in
use among them; in this way are secured
the finest ostrich plumes, so much I'D
vogue.
An ostrich farmer using an ''incuba-
| tor'' finds it no light task to raise the
Young; undivided attention does not
always insure success. Ostrich babies
thus reared "are plucked before they are
a year Old, and for years-no one can
perhaps tell how long-they are annual
! ly subjected to this process; of some it is
recorded that for over fifteen years they
yielded this profit, and were still in high
feather"
At plucking time the unsupported
creatures are enticed by unusual measures
of maize, of which they ale very fond,
and penned snugly where struggling is
out of their power; not a wing can they
spread, aggressive or defensive warfare
is denied them; the poor things are ut
terly at the mercy of their masters-men
who know not the meaning Of that
gentle quality. The wings are uncere
| suOu1OuSly A1iISO, anu CAAO uoAAN%eO missy
plumage is pulled or cut out. If plucked,
the weight in market is heavier, and the
quill soon grows again. Every slight is
the pain," coolly remarks the skilful
operator; but who can tell2 for fashions
high behest is all this accomplished, and
as one has written of it, ''in voice
less dignity the sufferer endures." Pluck
ing season over, the feathers are care
! fully sorted; the white primary outside
rim, found just under the wing, is
deemed the most valuable, and these are
sometimes sold for 1925 per pound.
Sorting gives place to packing, and to
market the beautiful treasures are sent.
1t is said that ostrich farming is, how
ever, most uncertain employment, be-
ing subject entirely to fashions freaks.
In ancient times eggs and plumes were
to crowned heads most acceptable trib-
ute-money. Ostrich egg omelet is uni
versally regarded as dainty dish; ex-
tremely convenient are they also, as,
owing to the thickness of the shells,
they retain their freshness for weeks; for
this travellers hold them in high esteem.
In the Metropolitan museum, Central
Park, is a singular curiosity. Standing
in glass case is an artificial ostrich, ap
parently not far from twenty inches
in height It came to us from the rare
and beautiful collection of Prince Demi
doff. The body of tho bird is represen-
ted by full-sized ostrich egg; the legs,
feet, tail and head are one mass of ex-
| u1iSfa1v ohaco6 cilvor.worE and II, tho