The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-06-20
4 VISIT To THE
OSTRICH FARM
One of the Show Places of Du-
val County, Near the City of
Jacksonville
THE UNIQUE EXHIBIT INCLUDES
NEARLY ALL ANIMALS THAT
ARE TO BE FOUND IN FLORIDA.
STORY OF A PLEASANT MORN
ING OUTING.


clouds and part sunshine, with pleas
ant breeze blowing ever and anon,
when we. Rosalie and /, boarded a
car for the Ostrich Farm" near the
beautiful city of Jacksonville, says a
writer in the Jacksonville Times-Union.
When we had gone quite distance
we left the car to walk about the sub
urb called Fairfield, that we might |
have a better view OF the surrounding
country. We passed some pretty
homes and grand old trees, whose
gnarled roots and sweeping branches
made us think the DruidS might haveI
worshipped just such trees. We saw
lots and lots Of fragrant honey
suckle and the. scarlet blossom of the
pomegranate was attractive, surround
co by a wealth of green leaves. AS We
walked We came to large field
covered over thickly, with wild phlox,
which grows luxuriantly in the county
Of DuvaI A broad, white walk divided
this field, and. on either side of the
walk grew long straight rows Of pear
trees. Just beyond lay the beautiful
st. Johns river, looking silvery that
especial morning, for this river
changes like the atmosphere, the
clouds and the sunlight. We have
seen II sometimes look darkly blue; at
times, like sea Of gold; again, 1t is
of 80 dark color as 70 look almost
black While We were gazing with
delight at the earth carpeted with
bright flowers. at the white light that
fell upon the leaves OF the pear trees,
a small covy Of birds few out from the
rosy phlox and gracefully wendell their
way TO the river The deep pink color
| of the phlox, the rich green of the
handsome fruit trees, the soft plumage
of the birds, their graceful sweep in
the air, and the lovely st. Johns river
! in the background made as pretty
| landscape as one would wish to behold.
We stood some moments in silent ad-
miration. then. walked on AND soon
reached the Ostrich Farm.
At the Farm.
We entered room, paid our fee.
skipped across the green grass and
seated ourselves in the pavilion to
watch the ostriches that were in an
enclosure directly in front of US.
There were, we supposed. ebout seven
1 ty-fve birds. Some were gray, others
black. The latter we thought the most
attractive as they lifted their huge
wings oTer their backs, disclosing TO
view great lunches of feathers as soft
and white as the feeey CLOUDS that
were floating over our heads. We liked
to see them moving around, poking
their long necks over the fence rails
ana they certainly were graceful with
their very long legs. We saw one fine
fellow in harness, the only ostrich in
America that has been taught to draw
a buggy; another one bore upon his
feathery back the body of a man. How
strong they were and how swiftly they
did move over the smooth grass, II
was a queer sight to see bird driver
instead of q horse. A black oetrict
seemed to perform the "cake-walk' fol-
our individual edffication, and hi:
movements were funny indeed, a
which we laughed most heartily There
were other things OF interest at tht
Farm" We enjoyed the sea lions. OF
larger species of seal, disporting them
selves on lana and in water, They
} moved about with ease and grace
There were, probably, six or eight
J Their water home was clear and thes
seemed TO love 1t, and, when they
wanted a sun bath they glided along
} the smooth plank railing. or into the
dry, hollow basin adjoining the water
} Many Other Animals.
They were affectionate and when the,
heard the footsteps OF their keeper
they were quite demonstratiye and ap
, preached near him, even TO his feet
and they made believing sound as j
pleading for some favor at his hands
J They acted like spoiled children VIII
are denied what they must not have
We disliked to part with these amusin;
, but intelligent sea lions We saw tur
keys. pigeons, ducks, chickens an:
many remarkable products Of the an;
NAL and bird kingdoms. Alligator
were. Of course, on hand, and mischey
! Gus monkeys. A wildcat was also oil
exhibition. caught in the wiidS Of Flor
ida The morning was thus delight
J fully Slipping away. hut as girls vii
get hungry. we thought 1t time to star
homeward though we must say, we lef
with regret AS We were taking fare
1 well look at the sea lions we turne,
} and saw standing at our left hand
I fair young man of pleasing address All
! kindly expression. He stepped so sofi
} ly we had not been aware OF his al
I proach. We conYerSed momen
! about natures wonders and when "
] parted he presented us with piece Q
eggshell as souvenir OF the occasion
Only bit of eggshell, A thing of II
| significance one may think, but moth
| ing God has MADE Is common, and
from this hard covering has bee
I | evolved the ostrich, whose beautifT
rlumes have ornamented the head
and hats of lovely women. This b
OF eggshell brings to mind swee
young girl with the delicate pink {
Z the seashell upon her cheeks, and III
sunlight in her eyes. ami young ma
of pleasant countenance and gent
manner. We were sorry not TO lear
his name. Never will we forget ths
; April morning ar the Ostrich Earn
y .z.n l.aft faalirz thankful ure x,a.