A CHAMPION KICKER

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 36, 11 August 1923, Page 14

A CHAMPION KICKER

A KEEPER'S FIGfcT WITH AN

OSTRICH.

A Syrian ostrich has just arrived at the London Zoo, the first living specimen of its kind to reach Europe, says "A.E.K." in the "Daily tforonicle.'" There were a pair of them, presented by Major-General Sir Percy Cok, but the female died on the way over, and is destined to become an exhibit in a museum instead of in a menagerie. Biblical students, will be specially interested m the bird, as it is the ostrich mentioned m Scripture, smaller than the four African species, from which it may be -distinguished by its -whit* neck and legs. .

The newcomer, which stands' a little over 6ft high and is just changing into the black plumage of the adult male, has, in the manner common to his tribe, been putting up a 'good deal of bluff, but he has met his match in the keeper.

I witnessed an interesting contest'between instinct and reason When the keeper entered the cage. Immediately thev-bird arched his neck, and, with much clapping of its bill, advanced menacingly.

Aii .ostrich has very powerful legs, and a kickvfrcmi<brieCol-iMtwSfeKwW feet could easily rip a .man: open, but' the keeper^ having already learned this at the cost.of a mutilated uniform and a year or two with his leg In splinte knew well that the bird could only reach to about 18 inches in front of its breast, which is always thrown out preparatory to a kick. Again and again the ostrich tried to reach his opponent with his feet, but was each time frustrated by the keeper who, pushing back the breast ofthe bird, kept him at arm's length. "Once you let an ostrich master you you will never tame it," blurted the keeper, as he wrestled with the towering bird, who, finding that it had met a more powerful biped, wisely gave in.