Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1905 — Ostrich Battles. [ARTICLE]

Ostrich Battles.

Male ostriches battle for supremacy and admiration of the females with as much ferocity as stags, bulls, buffaloes and other animals. An ostrich battle is amusing, as it amounts practically to a boxing match with the feet, in which the males dance around each other lightly. There Is this difference, however: If any boxer could hit as hard as an ostrich with one of his feet he might settle the championship with a single blow. It must not be supposed that the ostrich will not strike his antagonist with his terrible beak. In sparring the ostrich stands on one foot, with the other foot and wings raised, bill vide open and neck distended. He strikes with the force of a trip hammer, and in fighting both birds warily dodge blows. Under modern training an ostrich equals a horse in power and can do many of the Btunts of the horse. By aid of his wings an ostrich can leave behind the swiftest running thoroughbred and under harness has paced In about a horse’s record time.