THE CUBA REVIEW 15 



easily routed in the encounters with the Spaniards, when they became foes instead of 

 friends, after the natives were convinced that the people who had landed on their shoie 

 came in pursuit of gold. Columbus treated the aborigines with kindness, but as soon 

 as he went back to Spain, the Spaniards treated the people on the island harshly and even 

 cruelly. Many Indians were carried in captivity to Spain. 



The horses in Cuba of native stock are small, of stunted growth, but usually strong 

 and hard}^ Fine American horses have always been imported from the United States, 

 but they require careful treatment to keep them in good condition. Of late years, however, 

 automobiles and electric cars of all kinds have become so common that people prefer 

 them to carriages drawn by horses. 



Mountain wild rats, the jutia, are hunted and their flesh is considered quite a deli- 

 cacy, resembling rabbit. The aborigines used to eat the iguana and in the rural districts 

 some of the country people still eat it. 



There are a number of wild birds in Cuba, which are sport for sportsmen in the hunting 

 season from September to January, such as doves, torcasas, quail and other game birds 

 such as partridges, herons, guinea hens, wild ring doves, white-headed doves, purple 

 headed doves and a variety of small birds. Under no circumstances is it allowable to 

 kill the aura tinosa, or vulture, as this bird acts as a natural scavenger. 



There are few songsters in Cuba. The joyous carol of the mocking bird is the most 

 melodious. There are a variety of birds, the graj^ king bird, black bird, humming bird, 

 called the colibri, and the bijirita, a small bird typical of Cuba. Sometimes the name 

 of the bijirita is used to designate the natives, as the sparrow, gorrion, was used as a nick- 

 name of the Spaniards during colonial times. 



The Isle of Pines is famed for its numerous parrots. These wild birds have to be 

 captured from their nests by hunters, and the nesthngs are much sought for export. 

 It is somewhat dangerous to seize them, as parrots usually build their nests in "bottle 

 palms, " which have smooth, shppery trunks and are often decayed inside. 



Hunters seek these birds from June to July and ship them abroad. In Cuba the 

 mother bird lays from two to five eggs in April or May and these eggs are hatched within 

 twentj^ days. It requires considerable time for the nestlings to get their plumage. Mean- 

 while the parent birds take the most constant care of their young. If the birds are not 

 captured when very small, they refuse food and starve themselves to death. 



Flocks of paroquets of twenty or more fly through the air with military precision 

 and together ahght on a tree in quest of fruit or food. Suddenly, off they go, chattering 

 and noisy, to some other resort. With green and yellow plumage they are very attractive 

 and are kept as caged pets in some families. 



Cuba has about two hundred and eighty species of birds. In swampy districts 

 flamingoes, with rosy bills, and stately, slender cranes, with a great propensity to stand 

 on one leg, abound. Cranes are often pets in Cuban homes and are as good as watch 

 dogs in announcing the approach of strangers. 



Woodpeckers, called "carpinteros," abound in the woodlands. The ani is dubbed 

 judio (jew) in Cuba and belongs to the cuckoo family. White and brown pehcans are 

 also quite common, as well as a variety of aquatic birds. Other denizens of the woods 

 are the night heron, trogan, a beautiful bird, and black birds, king birds, and a cuckoo 

 called the "arriero" for its propensity to drive other birds. This bird is twenty-two 

 inches long and has a tail twelve inches in length. 



Beautiful butterflies abound and there are about a thousand species. 



Tarantulas and centipedes are found in Cuba, but are not dangerous, nor is their 

 sting fatal. 



AUigators and crocodiles are found in swampy districts. Among the attractions 

 afforded the tourist are "caiman" hunts, when parties go down the river in boats to 

 spear the crocodiles as they protrude from their muddy bed. Night hawks, with their 

 shrill, sharp whistle, resembling the human voice, often startle a traveler along the thickets 

 and groves after nightfall. The whir of a bat overhead and the hoot of an owl also add 

 to the mysterious noises of the night in Cuban woodlands. 



