BIRDS OF CUBA I9 



of the birds are shy and restricted in distribution, and can be seen only by 

 making special and well directed effort. Hosts of migrants may be observed 

 everywhere. It will also be a comfort to many visitors to learn that there 

 are no poisonous snakes in Cuba, although insect pests, especially the red- 

 bugs and ticks, will probably surprise many pedestrians by their local 

 abundance, and beyond doubt will discourage the majority after one 

 good noonday walk in the thick scrub. 



CLIMATE 



Many books of a popular nature have been written for the Northern 

 traveller, so but little need be said under this caption. It should be 

 emphasized, however, that official temperatures taken under the protected 

 conditions prescribed, give no idea of the heat which the explorer encounters. 

 January, February and March are charming. The sky is clear, the sun hot, 

 the shade cool, and the nights delightful. Every few weeks a norther 

 freshens the air over the Island, and sometimes brings the temperature 

 down to 55° or 60° P., which seems fearfully frigid. For windows are wide 

 and glass is rare outside of Havana. From April to December the heat 

 is very great, and while the oft-repeated remark is heard, that it is never 

 as hot as in New York in summer, still this is only partly true. It seldom 

 goes over 92° at noon, indoors, but it approaches this figure very closely 

 every day, and at night there is no very marked change. In the open 

 country and in the street really high temperatures may be found. This is 

 mentioned simply in the interest of accuracy, not because the heat is 

 unhealthful, or especially unpleasant to any one who loves the tropics. 

 It is quite the reverse. The Spaniards built their cities too crowded, and 

 their narrow streets, while easily shaded with awnings above, admit no 

 draughts of air. Their houses, on the contrary, they built far and away 

 better than English, French, or Dutch. The high stud, — rooms of thirty 

 feet are not rare, — the thick walls, the large high windows and doors, 

 make perfect tropical houses, and the wonder is that only recently have 

 they been copied. 



The Island as a whole is now extraordinarily healthful. Yellow fever 

 is gone; hook-worm has but small hold; filariasis is much rarer than else- 

 where in the West Indies; but malaria is ever a problem. In portions of 



