The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-19
THE II OF CUBA.
They Are Intelligent. CompanionabIe. TaIka-
tive and Edible.
From the Chicago Tfnea. Herald.


From the Chicago Times. Herald.
A company of prisoners from Cuba recently ar
rived in this city. coming unchallenged through
our line of battleships. passing our coast guards
unmolested. and reaching the interior Of tho
country without harm, albeit the sentiments Of
each and all are for war. And these prisoners
neither speak our difficult language nor under
stand It, their native speech being the Spanish
vernacular. They are the latest 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.
released from their dismal wooden cages and
petted to their hearts content. but still mop.
ing and melancholy for tho loveliest land that
bus said of Cuba when he Carried the frSt com.
siRnmcnt OF Cuban parrots back to Europe, in
Producing them to tho delighted ladies OF So
willie.
Saw Tacon reigning in his glory.
These latest arrivals from the beautiful and
unhappy Cuba will probably be tho last consign-
ment made for many n long day. and the Or city
birds with their red breasts and brilliant green
plumaRe ana white'topped heads are as savage
and misanthropic as human prisoners might be
under the ban OF exile. They bite savageiy and
hurl Spanish annthemas at all who approach
them, and whether they are rebels OF parrots
cannot be d~etermined from, their actions. But
duced n wond erful change. as well as a babel
OF discordant, jarEon. They chartered as II in
their ,he nSLiy 70 f mT ana their bright. wicked
~ ~ S-fh ~ ftNAA eAAA NhNy vi
10 themselves like the uncanny folk they are
with diabolical effect.
These birds recall tho fact that the Spanish
sailor has an abnormal love for parrots and is
nearly, always ACCOMPANIED by ono, of those
trick birds when he sails tho Spn nish main or
adventures into distant ports, where he finds
himBelf compelled TO part with his harlequin
friend in exchange for gold 10 pay his score.
He Is sorry, but not so sorry as the, parrot,
homeSickness lasts long after the master she
loved has forgotten her.
A poet wroLC a pathetic ballad OF such n case.
In a strange country the lonely parrot was
adopted by kind people, who made much OF 1t,
single, word during tho years of its enforced
exile IL preserved an unbrOken silence. As il
grew old It's melancholy increased, and loft TO
itself II broodcd over It's past life until ono day
a stranger passing its cage gave II a glance Of
recognition. The poet tells tho climax:
He hailed the bird In spanish speech,
Tho bird In spanish speech replied.
Flew round ita cage with Joyous LcFrech-
Then dropped and diod.
Some Americans visiting Cuba a few years
ago were much shocked while dining at n fash
ionRble restaurant TO hear an order given for
learning that Cuban parrots were the delicncy
ordered. II is known now that the birds have
been an article OF dict for some time, tho 10. 900
parrots that wero formerly cent 10 the United
feed hungry families deprived OF other sources
The great popularity Of the Cuban parrot In
this country has boon traced to the fact that
they come 20 ms with ,nnoccupied brains. tho
few words the young birds have learned being
easily Obliteratsd 10 make room for a new vo.
cabu!ary. Tho Cubans themselves have ms
much reverence for the bird that talks as tho
old RomGns had In the days OF Nero, when It's
uncSnny utteranesS were regarded - oFGclss.