Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03
THE PARROTS IN CUBA.
They Are Intelligent, Companion
able, Talkative, and Edible.
(Chicago Times HeraId)

Chicago Times Herald
4 company Of prisoners from Cuba re-
Gently arrived in the city. coming unchal-
lenged through our line of battleships,
passing our coast guards unmolested, and
reaching the interior of the country with
out harm albeit the sentiments of each
and all are for war. And these prisoners
neither speak our difficult language non
understand il, their native speech being
the Spanish vernacular. They are the lat
est and perhaps the last importation OF
Cuban parrots, and they reached New
York under many difficulties. but they are
now in the homes OF Lake Michigan, re-
leased from their dismal wooden cages
and petted TO their hearts content, but
still moping and melancholy for the love-
lest land that ever the sun shone on. That
was what Columbus said Of Cuba when he
carried the first consignment Of Cuban
parrots back 10 Europe, introducing them
TO the delighted ladies of Seville
In Cuba when that lovely land
Saw Tacon reigning in his glory.
These latest arrivals from the beautiful
and unhappy Cuba will probably be the
last consignment made for many a long
day, and the pretty birds with their red
breasts and brilliant green plumage and
hAllE-kDpptu HrdsS arc do Savage anu
misanthropic as human prisoners might
be under the ban of exile. They bite
savagely and hurl Spanish anathemas at
all who approach them, and whether they
are rebels or parrots cannot be deter min
ed from their actions. But few words
Of Spanish spoken by q visitor produced
a wonderful change, as well as a babel
of discordant jargon. They chartered as
If in their native forests, and their bright
wicked eyes smirked with satisfaction
and they crooned to themselves like the
uncanny folks they are with diabolical
effect.
These birds recall the fact that the
SPANISH sailor has an abnormal love for
parrots ana is nearly always accomp-
anied by one Of these trick birds when
he sails the Spanish main or adventures
into distant ports, where he finds him
self compelled 20 part with his harlequin
friend in exchange for gold 10 pay his
score. lie is sorry, but not SO sorry as
the parrot. whom ne had petted and
taught and whose inconsistencies lasts
long after the master she loved has FOR
gotten her.
A poet wrote a pathetic ballad of such
a case. In strange country the lonely
parrot Wcs adopted by kind people, who
made much of il, but the bird could never
be induced TO speak a single word-during
the years of its enforced exile 1t preserved
an unbroken silence. AS II grew old us
melancholy increased. and left 10 itself
itbroodsd over its past life until one day
a stranger passing its cage gave II a
glance Of recognition. The poet tells the
climax:
He hailed the bird In Spanish speech.
The bird in Spanish speech replied,
Flew round its cage with joyous
screech-
Then dropped and died
Some Americans visiting Cuba few
wears ago were much shocked while din
ing at a fashionable restaurant TO hear
an order given for 1.-TWO Cubans on toast.
They felt relieved on learning that CUBAN
parrots were the dehcacy ordered. III is
known now that the birds have been an
article of diet for some time, the lOUO
parrots that were formerly sent 10 the
United States In the season being now
sacrificed 10 feed hungry families depilV-
ed Of other sources Of food.
The great popularity OF the Cuban
parrot in this country has been traced
10 the fact that they come 10 us with
unoccupied brains. the few words me
ycung birds have learned being easily
ohllterated TO make room for new yo-
oabulary The Cubans themselves have
"a =
az The old Romans had in the days OF
Nero. when its uncanny utterapces were
regarded as oracles.
EOW's THIsf
We offer One Hundred Dollars Reward
Cor snv case OF Catarrh that cannot be
cured by Halls Catarrh Cure.
r J.. CHENEY & CO, i'oledo, y.
We tho undersigned, have known +. j:
Cheney for the last fifteen years. and
believe him perfectly honorable In an
business transactions and financially apie
10 carry out any obligauons maoe .oy
their Arm. Ne.t ! IpaN,
Waiding, Kinnan & Marvin,
Wholesale Druggists Toledo. q
Halls Catarrh Cure Is taken internaiiy'
cous surfaces OF the system. Testimonies
sent free. Price. 70 cents per bottle. sou
by all druggists.