http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071008/od_nm/ostrich_killing_dc;_ylt=Auz5WWsDfEUW5.4jF0Qrv.wuQE4F
following links on the original page:
how about this one as another news generated adventure seed?
Put the birds in a pen as mounts for a halfling pony express service, and replace the shot gun...