NAKRATni': ()i- Bahama Expeditujn. 65 



ture of Uvo stories, colored \"cllo\v with white trimmings. 

 Below\ a corridor runs along the whole front under a series of 

 arches, which form in themselves a very characteristic and 

 artistic feature of Cuban architecture. 



In all of the parks we recognized that familiar bohemian 

 and umiiitigated nuisance, the English sparrow. lie is now 

 evidently in possession of the beautiful Cuban parks, and doubt- 

 less finds himself in even better quarters than in the United 

 States. If this enterprising bird can overrun a continent with 

 such appalling facility as he has North America, he doubtless 

 linds little to prevent his ascendency in an island so well 

 adapted to his wants as is Cuba. A better example of man's 

 folk' in attempting to readjust the intlnitelv line balance of 

 nature by importing a foreign element, could hardly be found 

 than his performance with the English sparrow, particularly 

 in the United States. 



Some of the names of the streets are curious with their 

 foreign sound, but w^e were positively shocked to find that 

 the street running by the side of the Plaza de Armas was 

 - O'Reilly Street !" 



Another attractive park, some distance west of the water 

 front, is '• Parka Centrale." larger and more frequented by 

 people than the Plaza de Armas. In front of this park there 

 stood, at the time of our \-isit, a handsome triumphal arch. 

 erected in honor of the Princess Eulalia, who had just visited 

 Havana. This arch, although a temporary structure, was so 

 imposing and massive in appearance that, like the •• ^\'hite 

 Cit}','' it seemed a pity to tear it down. On one side of this 

 is the principal theatre, and on the other the building devested 

 to bull-tights, the two main competitors for popular favor. 



Parka Centrale is seen at its best in the evening, when the 

 military concerts are gi\en, and all Havana turns out to enjoy 

 the refreshing promenade among the trees and flowers, illumi- 

 nated by electric lights. The music at such times is excel- 

 lent. Hundreds, and probably thousands, of chairs are placed 

 near the band stand, and for a •• medio." or five cents, a court- 

 eous ofKcial sells vou a ticket which secures the right to 



