Though the resurgent interest in and marketing of ostriches in the Sacramento area centers around birds as a source of food, early last century these unique creatures were bred as feather bearers rather than fryers. Capes, boas, muffs, and other items of apparel fashioned from ostrich plumage were at the height of fashion in the United States prior to World War I. Between 1910 and 1918 the Leitch family operated their ostrich empire from two locations on K between 7th and 9th Streets as well as their 'farm' at 10th and W Streets. This postcard showing a fenced flock of finely feathered fowl is captioned "Early Morning Row," something that must have made sense to someone at some time.