The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-04-21
THE BINGHAM COUNTY
OSTRICH

OSTRICH
Bingham county has a unique
species of fowl that is coming int
notice for it's acrobatic feats, an(
bids fair to remain in the limeligh
for many moons to come, In ordel
to more fully appreciate its spectacu
lar performances, one needs to SET
it by comparisons with other fowls
of similar sagacity and displaying
similar mixtures of cunning ant
stupidity.
Down in Patagonia there is 9
species of ostrich known as the rheo
1t is a large, awkward bird, standing
well up in the air and is covered
with an admirable gray plumage
that hangs like well selected and
costly mantle about his body as a
kingly robe, He wears it with such
dignity and composure that the be-
holder is impressed with his appear
ance of nobility and strength, and is
apt to mediate on the great service
which the rheo could perform in
carrying burdens, if they would only
stay on his back, or in carrying
messages and commands if he would
only take the message for certain de-
livery, or make desirable commands
and with his great strength and
speed and apparent nobility Of
character, enforce obedience.
The rheo is like any other rstrich
in the main, and when undisturbed
on the open plains he goes about
leisurely seeking out and plucking
for himself the most delicious herb
age, leaving for others everything
which he does not desire for him
self. His only particular fear is of
the glucco Cowboy of the pampas,
and he fears him only when he rides
up in direct charge against the rheo.
II the glucco comes gradually into
his presence, the rheo is not dis
turbed, but goes on helping himself
to the dainty heritage that suits him
best, even stepping out of the way
to let the glucco go by if he seems
to desire the space temporarily.
But let the glucco ride across the
plain and openly charge the rheo and
the rheo takes to fight, relying on
his great speed to protect him. If
there are many rhoes, they do not
stick together, but scatter out and
while one is being chased, the others
resume their feeding, content to let
the glucco wear himself out pursuing
The other one, each league so Travelled
increasing the safety of the rheos
that are resting and feeding, for a
glucco cannot run forever.
The rheo can run rapidly for a
short time, and then the horse gains
On him and overtakes him, painting
and dropping his wings. When the
horse finally comes up alongside, the |
rheo takes a sudden irregular step
hat makes him lurch sidewise and
starts him off leisurely in the opposite |
direction while the horseman loses
lime getting stopped and finding |
again the line of retreat. In the
Meantime all the other rheos are
till feeding and the tired one is
getting rested for new race.
The rheo has enough cupidity to
orange his races in circles SO that
" the time he is desperately tired he.
an slip back again into the flock and
luck behind some heritage by the
ide Of another rheo and thus force
fresh fowl into the race against
he tired glucco on his wearied
mount.
In Bingham county the first rheo
represented by the assessors de-
'artment, and the second rheo is the
republican county central commit
ee. They have been running in re-
avs, the tax commission being
brown into the breach to take up
me month Of the time, and when
had reported, the central commit
ee took the sidestep that carried It
emporarily out Of the way of the
.lucco and gave time to get it's wind.
3y these divices they have used up
ne first three months of the vital
'eriod for getting the assessment
!one right, and our prediction is
hat the next side step they make
7ill be to declare that as the ASSESS
1ent period has nearly run its
curse, it would not matter who was
SCISSOR, he could not very well mend
he methods and get the assessing
as 1t ought to be this year,
nd SO we might as we'll let the whole
hing 60 for 1921. Then we can
ngage in slumber until we get our
ext tax notice, at which time we !,
lall find that it is too late to apply a
smedy. Il
What Bingham county nesis is {
ore gluccos. If there were two rid
IS for each rheo and they rode with
ben lariats ready on the side to- ,
ards the rheo, it would not matter
UGH how he side stepped, one of |
e gluccos would bag him. l.
The Republican central committee l
made up of a good many rheos. t
nghan county needs two glucoos b
r each rheo, till they get them re- I
u 4 4 . /. p 4 1 . f..