Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-05-04
OSTRICH HUNTING.
How the Arabs Of the Desert Catch the Big
Birds.

/ ostrich IS the most attractive and aristo-
cratic of the many diversions in which
they indulge. The first thing attended
to when a hunt is contemplated is the
preparation of the horses. They are
entirely deprived of grass and fed on
barley for seven or eight days before
the intended hunt. They are allowed
to drink only once a day, and that at
sunset; at that time they are also
washed. They take long exercises, and
great attention is paid to the arrange
ment of the harness. The Arab saws
that after seven or eight days the stom-
ach disappears, while the chest, and
breast, and Group remain In flesh. The
animal is then in condition to endure
fatigue. This training is called tee
haha." The harness used in the hunt
ing is much lighter than that in ordi-
nary use, especially the saddle and the
stirrups, and the martingale is dis
pensed with. The bride also under
goes many changes, the mOuntings and
earlaps being taken away, as they are
considered too heavy. The bit and
frOntlet are made of rope, without
thrOatband, and the reins. though very
strong, are very light,
The time most favorable for ostrich
hunting is when there is the greatest
heat. The higher the temperature the
less is the ostrich able to defend itself
The Arab says that when a man stands
upright and his shadow is only the
length of his foot 1t is the exact time to
hunt. Each hOrseman is accompanied
by a servant called ''zemmal. F." He is
mounted on camel carrying four goat
skins filed with water and barley for
the horse, wheat flour for the rider.
some dates, a kettle in which to cook
the food, and everything which can be
possibly required for the repairing of
the harness in case of accident. The
hOrseman wears a linen vest and trous-
ers, and covers his neck and ears with
light material called ''havuli, " which is
tied with strip of camel hide. His
His feet are protected with sandals and
his legs by light CATERS called ''trabag."
He has neither gun nor pistol, his only
weapon being a wild olive or tamarind
stick five or six feet long, with heavy
knot at one end.
Before starting off the hunters ascer-
tain where a large number of Ostriches
are to be found. They are generally
met with in places where there is a
great deal of grass and rain has re-
Gently fallen. The hunters commence
their journey early in the morning.
After one or two days travelling, when
they have arrived near the desired spot
and begin to see traces of their game,
they halt and camp. After settling,
two intelligent slaves are sent out to
recOnnoiter. They carry a goat skin
at their side and a little bread. They
walk on until they find the Ostriches,
which are generally on elevated places. |
As soon as the game is in view one lies
down to watch and the other returns
to convey the intelligence to the camp.
The birds are found in troops, consist
ing OF as many as sixty. The horse
men, guided by the scout, travel eau
tiOusly toward the game. The nearer
they approach the spot the greater is
their caution, and when they reach the
last ridge which hides them from the
Ostriches they dismOunt and creep for |
ward to ascertain whether the birds are
still there. If such is the case they
give the horses a moderate quantity of
water and each man mounts again and
proceeds. The servants and cameIs
follow little distance behind, carrying
with them corn and water
The hOrsemen divide and form a cir |
Gle around the Ostriches at such a dis |
lance as not to be noticed by them.
The servants halt when the horsemen /
separate, and as soon as they see their /
masters IN position they walk below /
their prey. The Ostriches fee. hut are !
met by the hunters, who at first only
drive them back into the circle They
are made to run around the ring, and /
III this way their strength Is exhausted.
At the first sign Of fatigue IN the birds
the horses dash in and the flock sepa-
rates. The affEghted birds open their
wings, which Is a sign of great exhaus-
lon, and the hunter, now feeling sure
Of his prey, selects his bird and runs it
down, and finishes it with blow on the
head with the olive stick.
The moment the bird falls the man
quickly dismOunts and cuts its throat.
taking care to hold the head at some
distance from the body, so he not to soil
the Plumage. 1t Is said the male bird
1tters load means when dying, but the
female dies IN silence. When the os-
-rich IS on the point of being taken bv
the hunter, II he does not wish to
kill it, he can easily drive it with the
stick to where the camel is. It is in
such an exhausted condition. After
-he birds are bled to death they are
carefully skinned, so that the feathers
may not become injured, and the skin
IS stretched upon a tree or a horse and
salt Is well rubbed into It. Then a fire
is built and the fat of the bird is boiled
for q long time. When it is very liquid
It Is poured into bottles made OF the
skin of the thigh an6 leg and strongly
fastened at the bOttoua The fat Of one
o1r7 Is ~zsv,av-a IL ey, q ,.sx,,& -. +f7I 49,