Arizona republican., 1917-01-10
PLANS UNDER WAY To STOCK THE I
DESERTS WITH WILD 0STR|CHES

stories regarding the arrival
of Mr.. and Mrs. PerciVal Huntley-
Millions, to be present at the annual
ostrich drive, accompanied by their
servants, grooms, and string Of thor
oughbred horses. etc. Naturally they
would reserve "A whole floor at one Of
the local hotels, and the money they
would spend here, would do as much
good in Phoenix as it would on the Ri
veria or in South Africa, or South
Carolina, both places being about the
same
Why taking it all in all, it is the
best sporting proposition that mas ever
been put up to the state and If the
legislature does not take the matter
uD and appropriate several thousands
for the purpose. they win be overlook
ing the best chance to advertise the
state that has come the way or a like
BODY in years
If the outside members feel that
Maricopa county Is getting the best of
the deal II can be fixed with them to
assign 50 many ostriches TO each coun-
~. although the cold counties like
Navajo. Coconino, Yavapai, Apache
and Mojave might not be able to keep
their birds from getting their toes
frost bitten. Il might be no more than
proper to allow them to import few
polar bears 10 keen IN the sporting in
stnct IN their districts II would then
b possible for them 10 invite Doc
Cook. Admiral peary, and Mr. Stefan
son to come their way. and enjoy the
real thing in tramDing through the
snow with real object in view. with
out the trouble and expense Of leaving
the United States. Looking at it from
either angle, it should work out in fine
shape.
II would act as an impetus to the
breeding Of better and faster horses in
Arizona. The ostrich is faster than
the average horse kept for riding nur-
noses in Arizona and I'm order to hunt
the big birds for their feathers f.
would be necessary 10 import bl0oded
stock with racing strain This in II :
self would he the means OF putting the
state on par with Kentucky as the
nome OF fast horses Then IL would be
nroper TO speak as follows: She was
bred In old Arizona" and then con
tlnne, and she can run down any os-
trich on two feet" II these horses are
! 10 he bred and raised here. il viii be
necessary 70 instill lodging instincts
IN them, as an ostrich can hlf as
quickly and with much greater force
/ than any heavyweight prize fighter
ever introduced in the squared ring.
Another phase Of the game which
has not been entered into bv the garn.
warden, is the hunting Of the eggs foi
souvenirs. Is thore anyone who ha.
made the trip 10 South Africa. and re-
turned without an ostrich ego II Tho
birds are introduced to the deserts Of
Arizona. IL viii cause hundreds OF PEG.
ple TO set out on foot across oountr,
looking FOR the eggs Then too as 4
VIII cause the betterment Of the hors.
stock so should il cause an irnnrava
ment in the dogs No doubt il will b,
necessary TO train dogs not only I,
tran the birds but TO hunt out thel
eggs. There too will Arizona lead. Tn
only state In the Union with fraine,
ostrich dogs or when used To hunt on
ne eggs. they might be called "egl
hounds"
Mr. Willard viii announce With,
the next few days just what he is 70
ing To do in the matter and in III
meantime. the sporting fraternity O
the state will await with GREATNESS in
teresi his next action. anent IN
ostriches