The true Democrat., 1854-09-13

hllSuoInS or CuDa. Among tne most familiar birds, and those the names of which even the casual observer is apt to learn, are the Cuba robin, the blue bird, the cat bird, the Spanish woodpecker the gaudy- plumed parrot, the pe- doreva, with its red throat and breast and its pea-green head and body. There is also a great variety of wild pigeons, blue, gray and white; the English lady bird, as it is called, with blue head and scarlet breast, and green and white back; the indigo bird, the golden winged woodpecker, the ibis the lamingo. and many smaller species, like the humming bird. Parrots settle on the sour orange trees when the fruit is ripe and fifty may be secured by net at time. The Creoles stew and eat them as we do the pigeon; the flesh is rather tough: and as there are plenty of fine water and marsh birds about the lagoons, which are most tender and palatable, one is at loss to account for the taste that leads the people to eat the parrot.- The brown pelican is very plenty on the sea coast like the gull off our own shores, and may be seen at all times sailing lazily over the sea, and occasionally dipl ing for fish. Here, as among other tropical regions, and even in some southern sections of this country, the lazy look ing baldheaded vulture is protected by law. being sort of natural scavenger or remover of carrion.
 Considerable space is devoted to the admir- nistration of Tacon. In accomplishing his pur- poses, life was counted of little value, and ma. ny of the first people were sacrificed to his zeal A story which was related to the author in Havana illustrates his roman tic love of justice, and will bear repeating:
 During the first year of Tacon's Governor ship there was young creole girl, named Mi ralda Estalez, who kept little cigar store in the Calle de Mercaderas, and whose shop was the resort of ali the young men of the town, who loved choicely made and superior cigar Miralda was only seventeen, without mother or father living, and earned an humble though sufficient support by her industry in the manu- factory we have named, and by the sales of her little store. She was picture of ripened tropical beauty, with finely. rounded form, a lovely face, of soft, olive tint, and teeth that Tuscarora might envy her. At times, there was dash of languor in her dreamy eye that would have warmed an anchorte; and then her cheerful jests were so delicate vet free that she had unwittingly turned the heads, not to say hearts, of half the young merchants in the Calle de Mercadares. But she dispensed her favors without partiality; none of the rich and gay exSuisites of Havana could say they had ever received any particular acknowledg dgment from the fair young girl to their warm and constant attention. Forthis one she had plea sant smile, for another few words of pleasing gossip, and for a third a snatch of Spanish song: bat to none did she give her confidence, except to young Pedro Mantanez, fine looking boat man, who piled between the Punta and Moro Castle, on the opposite side of the harbor.
 Pedro was a manly and courageous young fellow, rather above his class in intelligence, appearance and association and pulled his oars with strong arm and light heart, and loved the beautiful Mlralda with an ardor romantic in its fidelity and truth He was sort of leader among the boatmen in the harbor for reason of his superior cultivation and intelligence, and hls qulck-wltted sagacity was often turned for the benefit of his comrades. Many were the noble deeds he had done in and about the har- bor since boy, for be had followed his calling of waterman from boyhood, as his fathers had done before him. Miralda in turn ardentlv loved Pedro, and when he came at night and sat Ill the back part of her little shop, she had always neat and fragrant cigar for his lips Now and then, when she could steal away from her shop on some holiday, Pedro would hoist a tiny sail in the prov of his boat, and securing the little stern awning over Miralda's head would steer out into the Gulf and coast along the romantic shore.
 There was famous roue, we'll known at this had frequently visited Miralda's shop and con- ceived quite passion for the girl; and, indeed, he had grown to be one of her most liberal customers. With cunning shrewdness and knowledge of human nature, the Count besieg- ed the heart of his intended victim without ap- bearing to do so, and carried on his plan of ope- ratons for many weeks before the innocent girl even suspected his possessing a partiality for her, until ore day she was surprised by pre- sent from him of so rare and costly nature as to lead her to suspect the donors intentions at once and to promptly decline the offered gift Undismayed by this, still the Count contnu- ed his profuse patronage in way to which Mlralda could find no plausible pretext of com plant.
 At last seizing upon what he considered fa- vorable moment, Count Almonte declared his passion to Miralda besought her to come and be the mistress of his broad and rich estates at Cerito, near the city, and offered all the promi- ses of wealth, favor and fortune; but in vain. The pure-mnded girl scorned his offer, and bade him never more to insult her by visiting her shop. Abashed, but not confounded, the Count retired, but only to weave a new snare whereby he could entangle her, for he was not one to be so easily thwarted
 One afternoon, rot long after this, as the twi- light was settling over the town a file of sol diers halted just opposite the door of the little cigar-shop, when young man, wearing lieu tenants insignia, entered and asked the atten- dant if her name was Miralda Estalez, to which she timidly responded.
 Then you will please to come with me-"
 "By what nuthority?" asked the trembling girl"
 The order of the Governor-G General"
 Then I must obey you,' she answered, and prepared to fellow him at once.
 Stepping to the door with her, the young officer directed his men to march on, and getting into voante, told Miralda they would drive to the guard house. But to the surprise of the girl, she soon after discovered that they were rapidly passing the city gates, and immediately after were dashng off on the road to Cerito.- Then it was that she began to fear some trick had been played upon her, and these fears were soon confirmed by the volante turning down the long alley of palms that led to the estate of Count Almonte. It was in vain to expos tulate now; she felt that she was in the power of the reckless nobleman. and the pretended