Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-11
A FEATHERED SAMSON.
a brazilian Macaw that Surprises the
Snturalists.
philadelphia Telegraph)

philadelphia Telegraph)
They have lot Of wonderful animals
at the 200. but the most wonderful Of all
Just now is n bird. lie is barred up be-
hind three layers OF heavy wire mesh.
such as is used for coal sleeves, and even
this Is hardly enough to relieve a con-
slant feeling Of suspicion concerning him.
The brd is "a species Of the parrot known
as the macaw, and his native country Is
Brazil. The warm breath OF summer
which he had several recent touches OF,
seems to have inspired him with a con-
figcnce peculiar TO any creature that feels
itself at home and the activity of some
Of his exploits has surprised the Keeper
Of the aviary as well as the officials or
the garden, who have never had the OPP
portunity OF seeing the macaw on his
native heath.
He has only been in this country
short time. and until a few days ago
had sole possession Of one OF the row OF
CAGES along the eastern wall or the
aViary. In an adjoining cage were
flock Of laxative but peaceful cocka-
toog. with feathers az white as snow.
lie observed them with comparative In
difference for Il time, but lew high'S
ago he decided to make them neigh
cockatoO less in its group OF specimens
Of winged creation.
How IL happened no one knew until
the next morning. when the macaw was
found in the cuckatoo cage, sitting COM
fortably on n perch, while beneath MN
lay dead cock in the pit. The other
cockatOos kept themselves as far as pos
slble out of sight In corner. three
bars of thick wire partition between the
cages had been pulled out 10 make way
for the macaw's exit. Apparently thls
might have been an easy thing LOT
man to do, but IL is doubtful u man
could have done 1t more neatiy OF coih-
pletely. l., IT..
cage. He was given quarters In private
cace. n stout. portable Enclosure about
three feet square. with n floor OF gal
yauized sheet-iron. and iron bars as thlcK
rs an ordinary lead pencil. The bars were
summarized around the sides with cross
pieces, or stringers of thick iron, so tnat
their length was not over Six lhch's IN
any part Of the cage. 1t was thought
that the macaw was pretty sale III thal
kind Of n cage. but 10 make assurance
doubly sure he was placed IN smali
room in the corner Of the aviary ana the
door closed, which proved wise pre-
caution. The next morning the keeper
az the aViary nearly fell dead with paraly-
sis 70 find the macaw at large, preached
quietly on top Of a feed-boN. The box
was empty.
with his Jaw dropped in CONSERVATION,
the kcoper who had charge Of all the
birds that came there IN the twenty years
of the gardens existence. stood ana sur
viewed the scene. The bars on the heavy
iron cage had not been pulled out, as in
the larger cage, but they had been bent
and almost broken. leaving space large
enough for the macaw 10 make his exit.
How he did Il is still n puzzle for the
geological society 10 solve. If not puzzle
for a good mechanical engineer familiar
with the tensile and other properties OF
iron.
The keeper who found the bird first felt
the bars with his fingers 10 SEQ If they
had been made out Of soft metal by
mistake. but they were not. Then ne
got a rair Of plumbers plyers and tried
10 bend them straight again, but he had
not force enough in his wrist to DO IL.
Then he sat down and wiped the cold
perspiration from his face and looked at
the macaw with suspicion That the
b'rd must be supernatural. while the bird
.ot as sorencly as possible. calmly re-
turning his gaze. The macaw Is a silent
tird. He does not talk Ike other parrots.
The keepcr secured the windo VS. ana
doors and went for advice and 1sii,ance.
The rnacaw is back I'm Its cage now, but
the bars are still bent just as ne iett
Them. because there IS not pair OF
divers in the garden strong enough 10
straiqhten them. Around the outside OF
she cage are the layers Of the thick wire
mesh OF the kind used to sieve coal
hiding the bird almost completely nom
view. except at the corner left open 10
iced him. $500.
The macaw's feet are the most aston
isbing things that have ever been seen IN
.be rarden since 1t was founded. Inc
bird is nothing but "a parrot OF some
uhat extraordinary size. being over Two
faet in length. and having head on
MIN probably larger than big Florlui
range and an enormous bill for a prd.
His pluinage IS dark and rather supuueu
In cornparison with the smaller pa'.plS,
hut Is very handsome. Since he twis'ed
,ne hars Of his cage the keepers are wary
I'm handling him for fear he VIII get MS
nghting-bloOd up and take man i'nser
M which he Is capable of DONG.
What will be done with him mas not
,een determined yet. There was q propo-
.ition 10 confne n IN In the new pear pr
80, !, &c probable that he Will be put III
an outdoor cage for the summer, WheIe
en- hars are az thick as those used ~
cn,finc the eagles and vultures. Inc
strength Of his biz IS marvellous.