The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-20
SAVANNAH GA. FRIDAY. JANUARY 90 1890

the stand little river rippled over the
stones. Save for the drone always heard
in such a place, the occasona, chirp of
an insect, the rustic of an animal prob
ably peccary, in the foliage, all was
still. The gigantic ferns and vines mat
ted together effectually concealed the
watcher, as he leaned his back against the
smooth. white trunk of a tree, which ran
straight up in the air, without limo.
for seventy-five or eighty feet The
hunter had almost fallen asleep Sudden
~, screaming shrilly and ferceiy, two par
rots darted out from the surrounding foil
age, apparently so intent on their quarrel
as to be totally unaware of the presence
OF a man. Up and down, around the tree.
first one in pursuit then the other. they
flew with feathers rut1ied and every evil
dence of parrot rage. Several times they
van shed into the dark depths Of the for
est, their cries growing faiater and fainter.
Then as quickly thcy appeared ana the
chase about the white body of the tree
began again.
Apparently with one accord the two birds
alighted. They were fine specimens. both
males, from their brilliant plumage and
their size. The deer forgotten, The hunter
watched the two contestants They rested
within a foot or so of one another bills
open and neck feathers ruffled like Two
gamecocks. Then, as if sparriDg for an
opening, they advanced on one another
Feathers flew, and both retreated. They
were too tired from their efforts to utter
more than an occasional cry. As quick as
a Hash one darted at the other Selling its
neck in the powerful beaz There was a
snip, IKE that of pair of shears through
thick piece of cloth. With its neck hang
ing limp and striving to retain a foothold
by one claw, the injured bird huttered to
the ground, catching here and there an
outstretched branch or vine tendril With
a cry of triumph the victor flew swiftly
into the forest and was gone When ex-
amined the dead bird was found to have
had its neck almost severed Those who
nave experienced the force of a bite from
the strong bill of one of the birds can
recognize how readily the feathered con-
querer disposed of lis rival. AS a general
thing the Guatemalan parrot is considered
TO nave an excellent disposition, compared
with those of some Of the other Central
American states. 1t is asserted, however
that such conflicts are not infreouent
among them.
The best parrots on the Pacific coast. at
least from Panama to San Francisco, are
said to come from Corinto, Nicaragua
Every north-bound steamer which stops
at that port takes on board dozens of the
birds The occupants of the forecastle do
considerable speculation in that line, dis
posing of the birds in San Francisco at
200 or 300 per cent. above their cost price
in silver or tin money. 1t was this which
led a traveller on ship to San Francisco
to remark sapiently that after leaving Co
rinto there were far more parrots aboard
than passengers.
The birds build their nests in hollow
trees, and they must be taken young in
order to be properly educated for pets No
parrot having attained its majority with
out having become acquainted with hu-
man can be tanned