BIRD POWER — Ostriches can prove pretty ornery, but that didn’t keep them from being displayed in some offbeat attractions. During the late 1800s & early 1900s, ostrich farms dotted Florida,
BIRD POWER — Ostriches can prove pretty ornery, but that didn’t keep them from being displayed in some offbeat attractions. During the late 1800s & early 1900s, ostrich farms dotted Florida, and Jacksonville boasted its share. Attracting both locals & tourists, the parks featured ostriches that were ridden like racehorses. The big birds also pulled small wagons & carriages. They were harnessed singly or occasionally in pairs.
During the season when the females laid their eggs, the male ostriches suffered mood swings. They could get testy, lashing out with their claws. An ostrich attack can prove fatal to humans. There are ways, though, to ward off an assault, accor