Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-01

| Inc HItaSl IedtnerS are the 40 or more
white ones which come off the wings
The birds seem to feel very keenly the
disgrace of having their feathers
| plucked. They go about hanging their
| heads and showing chagrin very plain
| ly. 1t is no wonder, for more be-
dragSled. forlorn-looking creature than
| the freshly plucked ostrich does not
| exist.
In its habits. methods Of life and
preiudices the ostrich is one of the
most curious creatures alive. 1t can
not be tanned. though il is easily
| trained In certain lines. IT takes kind
~ TO harness and seems to enjoy a
brush on the road with horse
oliver w" one of the big birds on the
Jacksonville farm. draws n light wag-
on carrying two men. and there are
few trotters in the vicinity that do not
breathe dust when Oliver gets after
them. Another member Of the nock is
a good saddle bird. ana Is said by
those who have been astride If his
mighty back 10 have an easier gait
than the smoothest going horses.
But. quietly as the birds submit to
such discipline, they are absolutely UNI
reliable, all Of them without sense Of
gratitude or loyalty The man who
gets in front Of one and III reaching
distance does 50 at the peril Of his
lifc. After weeks Of kindly treatment.
good feeding and patient coaxins an
ostrich Will fly at his keeper and tear
him 10 pieces with that formidable
claw, If he gets the opportunity Any
endeaVor 10 inspire a domestiCatcd ost-
rich with fear or respect for human
being in vain. lie Will attack man or
horse without hesitation. but from q
small dog hc Will flee in mad terror
beating himself against the bars Of his
Enclosure IN his cfTolts to escape. An
other thing which fills the ostrich soul
with disn,ay is thund, rstorm. aud
after particularly severe lightning il
is no uncommon thing to find such
birds AS have not found shelter dead
OF pure fright.
Dnc uf the most interesting cha~lc-
teristics Of these hipcds is tho Way ia
which they take their constitutional
every morning. All tho males engage
in foot race which rnn-lv tfa.i win "A
combination cake walk and rcal in
Jingle fills they race around the pasture
at two-minute gait until they are
thoroughly limbercd Up, ana then, as
II By prrconccrtei signal. they form
into a group ana 20 into Y series az
most pomrous gyratjous. II is n gro
tesque sight. particularly if they have
been lately piuekri. When they are in
full plumagc. With their great wings
spread, the ostrich parade il y beauti-
full sight. for they arc singularly grace
ful in spite of their great numbering
figures.
The ostrich is homogeneous ana helps
his mate IN the domestic arrange
ments. 1t is q curious sight to see the
male bird making the nest. lie rests
his breast bone on the ground and
kicks away the sand behind him.
When he has cXcaNated une SHE Il.
turns his attention Ia the other. finish
ing with a round hole about four feet
in diameter and one foot in depth
If he is bad tempered he is often rough
with his wife. giving her kicks and
cuffs that are more than love taps. but
as he never gives her cause for jeal-
pusy she doesn't seem to mind his
treatment
When troop of ostriche5 sleep
there is always one on watch, a scnti-
mel. as it We're. for when one sinks to
rest another hops up TO continue the
watch. They sleep in a sitting pos
ture. the body resting on two callous
pots. and on the breast the other
near the end Of the boav 1t rest or
IN motion, herd Of ostrichcs is a
fine sight but they are particularly
ia,
to the fence and thrush their long
fuzzy necks and great bcaks over t.
spy out the intruding visitor.
They have great. mIld eyes ara | OK
very bland and innocent, but the visit
Or must be careful. even when beyond
the range Of the feet, TO keen out Of
reach of their great mouths. for thcy
will snatch and cat anything Trey an
reach matches, lighted pipes, haas.
parcels. even whole newspapers. They
will swallow a box of oranges. one ut
a Eulp, in marvcloualy quick time.
stones as large as IN ostrich ccg have
been taken from the stomach Of a dee J
bird; they need hard substances t.
grind their food
The commercial value of an ostrich
birds were sold in Pasadena a year ago
for $4,000, an average of $50 apiece
The owner of the Phoenix farm refused
$4,000 for l15 birds. They yield on Nv
average little over a pound Of fClth-
ers at a plucking, and the pound sells
for $3.50. Twenty five dollars pr
bird is considered Il very good result.
At the Florida and South Pasadena
farms the feathers are Drc pared Tor
retail market, which of course in
creases the profit very materially.
So great has been the demand fof c.
triches in late years that the Will Al
rican bird has nearly isappcarcu from
the face of nature. There is no DANCE,
of the species becoming extinct, hos
ever, as thousands are her led in tua
African corrals. and they are nosy DC
ing imported to Egypt, Hawaii, Aus
tralia and other parts of the world. as
well as to this country. Most of the
birds die in passage, but those that
survive usually flourish under the new
and in this country at least
ostrich raising bids fair to become a
great and widespread industry. New
York Evening Sun.
----------------- III
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europe that admits coffee free OF duty