New-York tribune., 1909-05-23
MAKING OSTRICH
AN AMERICAN
FARMS IN CALIFORNIA
And ARIZONA.
Climate agrees 7cith Him-Each
Adult Bird Erpected to Produce
$50 YearIy IN Feathers.

The Western stockman and farmer is of necessity
| a pioneer. and by nature anything but cOnserv-
ative. Not satisfied with revolutionizing methods
or growing grain. raising fruit and breeding do
mesticated animals. he has invaded the domain Of
the sportsman and trapper and claimed many Of
their former subjects as his own.
In Texas he is breeding buffaloes and crossing
them with cattle in Oregon he is raising Chinese
pheasants, Alaskan islands he is farming foxes
and he is growing ostriches in Arizona and Cali
fornia calmly as his grandmother raised chick
in Connecticut
The old geography said: THE ostrich is the
largest OF living birds. 1t inhabits the barren
deserts OF interior Africa and with incredible
swiftness 1t is very timid and hides Its head in
the sand at the approach Of danger"
Timid? Mr.. Enterprising Rancher has his pair
OF birds safely inclosed in the old calf pasture
which he has surrounded with smooth wire
fence. The 3o0p pound male stands by the gate
with his absurdly big eyes taking in the view The
hired reaches his hand through the wires
TO surreptitiously pluck q feather for Mary AIMS
Sunday hat There is q streak of ostrich leg that
swishes through the air with the rapidity Of
league players bat The big front toe OF the
ostrich comes in contact with the hired mans
shoulder and the hired goes to the hospital
for a month.
The ostrich strikes forward and down ana inc
kick of a mule is zephyr beside 1t.
He is a queer looking bird. this swift sailing
frigate of the desert Six to eight feet In height
he stands mostly neck and legs. and he can easily
black with white trimmings at the wings and tail.
His head is all eyes and beak. The former dis
counts the eagles sharpness, and the latter
would make score or so of duck bills. The thighs
OF the bird are devoid of feathers, and give you the
impression that he has just put on tights pre-
paratory TO taking his place in a comic opera
chorus His long shin is red to match his beak,
and the foot comprises two enormous toes.
Not the least surprising thing about one OF the
big males is his voice 1t Is the most unbird-like
note imaginable. 1t is roar:
"Oom Dom, Oom:' His throat swelis out like
miniature balloon and the farmyard sounds like
menagerie.
The marital life OF the ostrich is quite above re-
proach He marries early. Banns are usually cried
by the time the contracting parties have reached
their fourth year. In South Africa, perhaps owing
TO a pagan or Mahometan environment. the os-
trich occasionally, is polygamous, one proud lord
sometimes being given charge over two meek ana
domesticated hens. In California and Arizona IN
spite OF Utah traditions, one wife Is considered
trouble enough for any husband.
The cock is always ardent wooer. and when
alternating TO charm his inamorata his Preenings
and Ryrations of head body and legs are enough
20 all the breast OF a Salome dancer with envy and
despair
They do their own matchmaking, and mating is
ususIIy for lie Divorce Is infrequent and unpop-
,,1ar The hen is a model OF constancy, and II
frivolous minded husband sometimes attempts
mild Irritation with hens. his advances are properly
frowned upon by the flock