The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-21
Especial Correspondence Of The Globe
Letter From Panama.

Euit0T huudHd Gt0Oe we were all up
early this morning, ready to see the good
ship Henr, Chauncev come into the har-
Dor, and after waiting couple OF hours,
we were gratifed 10 zee her making her
making her way up TO the dock, which she
reached about ten o'clock, and in very
short time were deeply engaged in reading
our letters from home, after which came
the papers, (none Of which are more eager
ly looked for, not only by myself, but by
all Vermouters, than THE GLOBE com
plete files of which were received. This,
is in one sense, holiday among the
foreign residents of the city, it being
"Queen Victoria's birth day. The flags of
the different consuls are hoisted, the agents
of the different lines of steamships have
thrown their colors 10 the breeze, and over
the office IF the Panama railroad company,
floats the Union Jack, of which all Amer
leans are justly proud, as well they may
be, for have yet to see flag that is as
handsome, or floats any prouder in the
breeze than our own stars and stripes, and
''loDg may it wave"
In my communication forwarded two
weeks ago | had something to say in re-
gard to the trees, flowers and animals of
the Isthmus, and in this shall continIc the
same subject. Among the many curious
and beautiful birds which l have seen is
the toucan, which is quite frequently seen
in the forests adjoining Aspinwall. This
bird is about the size of a pigeon, has
heavy and long bill, shaped something like
that of parrot, under which is usually
foun inf of beautifully colorcd plu-
mage. When feeding, ii catches its food
on the end of the beak, and tossing 1t up,
catches it in its throat as it falls and
when drinking makes what is said to be
the" sign of the cross " The natives of
the country, especially the early priests,
always ready for anything looking towards
a superstition, on seeing these movements,
gave it name, " Dios tc de- GOD gives 1t
thee). The turpialc IS species of bird
| about the size of a robin, with deep black
plumage and yellow spots, and Is one of
| the most beautiful hirts seen. 1t can be
| gaZed at all along the road between lere
| and Panama. sitting on the trees n.d
shrubbcry that line Tie road, fr.m which
which it whistles and when Gomesticated,
as it sometimes is, it displays mucn mt. Ill
gence and cunning, quickly learning to
| perform many acts of mischief.
Another object of much curiosity is the
oriole, or hanging bird, which is frequent
| ly found in colonies together. Their beau
tifully woven nests, frequently two feet
| long, can be seen hanging from the trees,
willie the birds can be seen fitting around
in great numbers. Large numbers of snipe
are found on the beach around Aspinwall,
on which is daily heard the crack of the
sportsman's gun, and have several times
thought that if my friend, A. F. Davis,
were hsre, he wo1ld enjoy 'going for"
them, and, perhaps have better luck than
he did with the rats last winter Grouse
and wild turkey are also said TO be quite
abundant on the highlands, but as yet |
have seen lone of them.
While going to Panama, few days ago,
was gratified with the sight of heron, a
bird not very abundant here. 1t was
standing just in the edge of the Chagres
river, and would dip its long bill down in
the water after small fish or some insect.
1t was perfectly white, and, with its long
and slender neck, long beak and legs, and
small body, it was one of the prettlest
sights that have yet seen on the Isthmus.
Some days after, my attention was called
to person passing..along the street, carry
ing in his hand glass jar, in which were
several very pretty fishes, corresponding in
size very Wuch to the goldfish found in
aquariums in the north, although
the scales did not present as golden an ap-
pearance. They are known here as the
"fores del mar or "the flowers of the sea-"
and are very plenty in a number of the la
goons around Aspinwall. The shores Of
these lagoons are skirted on every hand
with a dense growth of mangrove bushes
which are very much like the banana tree
in appearance. The branches shoot down
and take root either in the soil or dip into
the water in many instances, in which case
they are soon covered with variety of BIZ
valves looking very much like the oyster of
the north, and varying in size from ten
cent silver piece to dollar, They are said
to be very r'latablc, but as the (colored)
proprietor Of the Washington house does
not feel Inclined to give us anything to eat
that will make him little work. we have
not yet enjoyed eating them. When the
bushes enter the soil they take root and
form, as 1t were, a sort of net, making q
barrier so strong that 1t is only by the free
use OF a machete Or Ratchet that pas
sage through can be made. The machetc
Is indispensable to every male person re-
siding in the country between Aspinwall
and Panama, and 1t is rarely that native
is met without one of these weapons in his
hands. 1t is sort of hiltless broadsword
about three feet long, very heavy, straight
and pointed, with hilt generally made of
wood. 1t answers the purpose of an axe,
hoe, plow, scytho, and is valuable wea.
pom, offensive or defensive. With it he cuts
his way through the dense jungles, clears
the email plantation, builds his bamboo
hut; by its aid he plants his crops and
then, when ready for the harvest, it again
comes into use. With a machete in
hand, native will go anywhere,
or do most any thing, and, both
waking and sleeping from half grown boy
to the old man, each Is seldom seen without
one. AT this season of the year the vege-
tation of the Isthmus is just in its beauty,
and no written description can give any
idea of it as 1t really is. The forests are
clothed in n mantle of green whiIa MANN