AN OSTRICH RANCH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 7, Issue 386, 26 August 1884, Page 5

AN OSTRICH RANCH IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

I would like to tell you about a visit to the ostrich ranch at Annaheim, about 20 miles south of Los Angelos. Among our party frere Mr and Mrs Heuben Noble of Weatfield and a clergyman, llev. Mr Sheridan, from Annaheim, who is greatly interested in the education of boys. Two or three years ago, I believe, or within that time, a small party of capitalists, Englishmen, made the purchase of some land a fevv miles from Annaheim, a wine-producing country, and brought thither from the far off wilds of Africa 32 ostriches. The house of the owner of the ranch is situated pleasantly in a sunny space with some old-time willows at one side, and a vineyard planted near. Here resides the keeper of the birds, Colonel Sketchley. These birds are indeed a curiosity — from their height, which is from 9 to j.O feet when in an erect posture. They hare most beautiful eyes, large and soft espi*ession, but their feet are homely enough, large, ill-shaped, and ugly, llemote as they now are from their native wilds, they seem to flourish well, and the venture, begun at first under somewhat doubtful circumstances, is turning out a successful undertaking. These immense birds are kept in corrals, the Spanish word for yards or inclosures, one male and two females occupying a place together. A common board fence, higher than the ordinary, surrounds each corral, and divides them. There is a space or open lane between the pene — a driveway for teams and to carry food to the birds. They eat a waggon-load of shells in one day, besides a large amount of coarse food, vegetables, Alfalfa or clover-grass, etc. The cost of each is lOOOdols. and their weight is from 300 to 400 pounds. They lay 75 eggs each year, each egg valued at lOOd'ols. Their feathers are plucked twice a year ; they are on the tail and wings of the bird, the body being nearly bare. Each plucking averages 300 dols. The eggs weigh 2 Impounds. The male is black, the tail and wing feathers being white, and the female a greyish white. It requires four strong men to hold one of these pots while plucking their plumes. It seoinsj a cruel process, and no wonder the birds resist so hard. They are savage <ihd dangerous if attacked, and can only be handled after a sack or stocking leg bias been drawn over the head. They drive them into a corner, and slip quietly :as possible behind them to draw the covering rapidly on. Some feathers dre pulled out easily, others are cut, and due has to understand his business to prevdnt. the bird from bleeding to death. Tliey cannot fly or jump, but can keep pace with the fleetest horses. When the eggs ire to be gathered a Chinaman is [called into the arena. The ostrich seems to have taken a fierce dislike to the smile j,of ijlie heathen Chinee, and is so taken up with his efforts to attack him that men slip in unnoticed and take possession of Ifhe eggs. The life of an ostrich extends beyond that of human beings, and averages 100 years. The plumes can [be purchased singly cy visitors, the price depending upon the length and thickness of them. They have to be afterwards cleaned and dyed. No dogs or horses are allowed inside the enclosure, as the birds go wild at the sight. of either.. The Chinamen carry their food to them. Col. Sketchley, the Englishman who presides over the ranch, is very pleasant, and willingly imparts all possible information concerning the birds. — ' Springfield liepublican' Correspondent. j