Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-16
OSTRICH AS A WATCHMAN
Keeps Nightly Guard Over a Flock of
Pheasants in Florida.
Negro in Search of Plum
der Attacked and Nearly Killed
by the Bird.


Correspondence Philadelphia Times.
An ostrich Waterman is the latest trained
wonder in Florida. He can be seen every
night making his rounds through the pens
of an ostrich farm near Jacksonville. About
a week ago this sagacious bird. which has
been named Napoleon. proved his capacity
for the appointment. About eight months
ago the owners of this herd of ostriches es-
tablished the farm at this place. Previous
to this time and since 1855. when they made
their first importations of birds into this
country. they carried on their extensive
farm in California. Attracted by the sa-
luxurious climate and the shorter distance
to their markets, they determined upon this
step.
When they established their farm at
Jacksonville they added especial at
traction specimens of many rare birds and
animals capable of easy domeStlcatlon-
Among the former a flock of over POO
golden and other varieties of pheasants. In
the course of events this fact became known
the darkey's natural characteristic for
'chickia'' the owners feared for their la
test purchases. The pheasants they knew
would be tempting, because all birds look
like chickens to coonS. and these reSembled
more than anything else nice. fat yellow
legged ROSTERS, and would become dou-
bly, tempting. Nor were the fears of the
owners groundless. The "cullod' popula-
hearing, investigating and finally seeing.
AT this stage of the game the owners of the
ostrich herd took steps to prevent the loss
of their property, and Napoleon was called
into requisition.
1t is a wei-known fact that among os-
triches. as among all herds of animals,
there is one male always chosen as sentry.
He patrols the camp every little while
giving his cry noise for "Alrs well,''
This is done throughout the entire night
Moreover. if anything should alarm this
sentry his knowledge of 1t is communicated
to his companions in series of yells as
| he advances to the attack. His uproar
awakes his fellows in the herd and they
| follow to his support.
1t has been the experience of those who
have had anything to do with ostriches that
they are the most wonderful fighters on
the face of the green earth. Afraid of moth
ing and with enormous strength. they are
match for anything that walks. When
hghting the ostrich attacks his opponent
| with his feet in a series of Iightninglik
nut terrific forward kicks. The power be
| hind these efforts would make any govern
ment mule collapse with envy and when It
| is known that the feet themselves are more
| like an ordinary railroad spike and that
| ostriches have been known to dsemboweI
horse, 1t can be imagined what chance
| an unarmed person would stand in a fight.
| Acting on this knowledge, the owners de-
| termined to leave the farm in charge of an
| ostrich, and Napoleon was the bird chosen
| for the position Napoleon stands nearly
| ten feet high and weighs over 400 pounds
| This gives him a sufficient weight and
| reach, and his courage and temper of the
| most highly developed order made him all
| the more adaptable to the position of trust
During the daytime he Is violent enough for
ordinary purposes, but at night he seems to
| take or the character of a demon. He is
| friend with no man. Even his keeper, Geo
| Campbell. who has occupied this position
| for years, uses a large fork to protect him
self whenever occasion neceSsitates his en-
| tering Napoleons pen.
The proof that the manner and choice of
guard and guardsman was correctly made
| was given one night last week Shortly be-
| fore midnight the. attendants Were aWak-
ened by the most terrific series of noises
| that have been heard for years around the
| vicinity. Mingled with the roars of Ma
| polcon were the asonZng shrieks of
| human being. The employees, rushing to the
| pen, saw the cause. There dashing about
| wildly, was a negro and at his heels fol-
! lowed Napoleon. The ostrich would strike
| and roar, the negro would make a zigzag
| negroes face was distorted with the fear of
| death, and his cries for help, when he saw
| his Intended victim, would turn the stoniest-
| hearted cutthroat to mercy. Not so the
| bird. who seeing his prey about to escape,
redOubled his efforts to strike him.
Finally reaching the fence the negro
made an effort to get over. but the bird
with a final effort struck him. Had the
blow caught the negro squarely it would
have killed him. Fortunately for him i.
was a g,ancing blow but 1t was enough
The ostrich caught him upon the thigh.
ripping 1t open and exposing the bone The
blood flowed in such streams that it was
feared he would bleed to death, but medical
cd