The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-06
A REMARKABLE BIRD.
Its Song Is Like the Lions Roar-It Is On
niyorous. With the Accent ON the Ou

A REMARKABLE BIRD.
Its Song Is Like the Lions Roar-It is ON.
nivorous, With the Accent ON the Ona.
The dance of the ostrich is one of those
peculiar native customs which certain
fowls develop, without any apparent
incentive except it may be the law Ok
hered;ty. 1t usually occurs in the early
morning, when the young, strong birds
are let out of the inclosure, and is said
10 be entirely due to awkwardness and
uncertainty. This leads them to ad-
vance and turn in a dervish-like whirl
which is very quaint and fantastic as
they float about assisting their mo-
tions by their outspread wings They
circle and reverse almost as walter
would. and when larger number of
these strange birds go through their
dancing antics it IS almost impossible
to believe that they have not been
taught the accomplishment by a
dancing master. Their waltz often
ends in disaster, as they break each
others legs, which is certain death, or
become dizzy and fall down in de-
ALlOI dAiZCN Lie Attn VA VIC OotA i'll
has been known to destroy life.
In the opening chapter of Rider Hag-
CARDS Jess there is highly dramatic
account of a fight for life with an
ostrich, and it is historically correct.
In fighting they arc apt to break their
own legs. they give such desperate
blows. Indeed, it would seem as if all
i+ot r>S %nar h:rf
centered in it's long. ungainly legs,
which are graceful only when going
across their native grass-covered plains
with rapidity OF motion that must be
seen to be appreciated.
l am only rehearsing a few of the Pc
culiarities of the creatures which have
made it of interest ever since the days
of Job (which leaveth her eggs in the
earth and warmeth them in the dust. :"
1t would appear to be an evidence of
cunning rather than stupidity for Mrs
Ostrich to adopt this very simple meth
cd of incubation. However, it has its
disadvantages, for while she is away
getting good dinner her enemy, the
white-necked crow, spies the ungarded
of those mammoth eggs and devises a
shrewd plan to help him. Taking a
stone in his beak he flies over the spot,
calculates with bird sagacity the neces-
sary distance and drops the stone.
Punk! An egg is broken, and he de-
scends to his feast. This is said to be
the same kind of raven that fed the
prophet Elijah. His wisdom seems al
most of Il supernatural order
1t is said that the cry of an ostrich is
like the roar of lion, and the Hotten-
tots often run from it in fright until
they see the bird.
The ostrich is generous layer.
Sixty eggs will be found in and around
a single nest. One of these eggs is
equal to twentyfour hens eggs. The
Hottentots and Bushmen cook an os-
trich egg by putting one end in hot
fire. Through an opening in the other
they stir the contents, putting in salt and
pepper making very palata bic omelet.
1t is never safe to drop any article
when walking near covey of ostriches.
The ostrich will eat anything, seeming
A story is told of n young girl who was
visiting ZOO where large ostrich
snatched her kid gloves, which We're
rolled into a ball and ate them. The
next day the girl returned with the
family contribution of a half-dozen
pairs of gloves, all of which were as
readily swallowed.
Whi1a tha nSfrich hoS al ta1, n n
brain-see Job for authority-it has
vicious propensities that show some
sort of wicked intelligence. Some Cape
Town people had a fowl fatting in a
special coop near an ostrich lraal. The
bird dropped and grew thin. 1t was
watched and seen to peer through the
Stats of its coop, curious to watch its
neighbors, the ostriches. Every time
it put its head out it received a kick
from its neigh bor and would soon have
died had it not been removed
A meek-looking male ostrich stood
about with his consort looking so de-
jected that some visitors remarked it
must be henpecl1ed.
oh" laughed the host, ''he is hem
kicked" and they soon saw him receive
a staggering blow from his gentle
spouse which sent him with dropping
feathers into a corner.
Old Lightning belonged to an ostrich
farm at San Diego, and was magnifi-
cent bird He acquired his name from
the rapidity with which he could pluck
a lighted cigar or pipe from visitors
mouth or remove his watch and chain
or any other ornament he could dis
cover. The noiseless manner in which
he could steal up behind one and then
nip some personal property was re-
marka bic. He was a natural born
thief Once he snatched all the. flow
ers off young lady's hat At another
time he attempted TO swallow disl
mond earring. but as il was fast in its
owners ear he could not manage it.
Old Lightning's greatest feat was
lighted meerschaum pipe.
which he snatched from visitors
mouth The keeper had seen him and
caught him around the neck and the
pipe was exhumed, tho tobacco still
burning. Detroit Free Press.
"