OSTRICHES IN DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Issue 18158, 26 December 1922, Page 7

OSTRICHES IN DUNEDIN.

EXCITING STREET SCENE. Two large African ostriches reached Dunedin on Saturday morning by the steamer. Palopna from Melbourne-, and their entry into the city created quite a stir amongst the crowds which were abroad after the birds were landed'. The ostriches wore housed in Jcffs’s stables in King street, and a largo crowd quickly gathered. During the excitement someone opened the stall door, and with an. excited mob nt their heels tho birds raced at a great speed through tho city. Quo of them slackened his gait when near an ice cream barrow, and was caught by an individual placing an arm around tho yard or bo of ,neck. A curious dog then camo on tho scene and snapped at the bird’s legs. With a wild bound he sped up the principal street, with tho mob again in hot pursuit. Tho strange sight caused some trepidation amongst elderly dames, who lost no time in dodging into shops and doorways. In his flight tho bird cleared a six-foot fence with tho greatest of case. Ho was eventually l caught near tho railway station, and followed his master back to tho stables without any trouble, although ho was naturally considerably upset by the presence of tho mob. - The other bird did not extend itself, and was captured by the stable boy before it had gone any distance. Tho birds are trotting ostriches, and the black ono has a track speed of forty miles an hour. It is forty years of age, while the •female is twenty-eighjj years old. A third bird, which is lift 6in in height, was left in tho Melbourne Zoo to undergo an operation to one of its eyes. This bird is claimed to be tho largest in. the world, and is expected to reach Wellington this week. All three birds have been exhibited in Melbourne, where they have taken part in races against breed horses, trotters, bicycles, and bird against bird drawing sulkies. Each bird can cany a man up to 12st in weight with tho greatest of ease.. Tho birds will be taken to tbo North Island this week, whore they will be pitted against racehorses and trotters. These, strange, creatures will bo seen in action in Dunedin in about two months’ time 1 . The two ostriches which were responsible ■for the -excitement on Saturday stand 9ft 6in in height when their necks are fully extended.