20 
HAMLYN'S MENAGERIE MAGAZINE. 
This concluded my visit to Bronk Park. We 
then drove to Woodside to inspect the Menagerie 
Department of the American Dealer with whom I 
transact business. It appears that the larger Wild 
Animals are not allowed to be kept in New York 
City, therefore the two leading American Dealers 
have their carnivora some miles outside the City. 
At Woodside there were 3 Tigers, 5 Lions, 2, 
Zebras, 1 Zebra Hybrid, 3 Axis Deer, Brown 
Bear, 1 Gnu, 2 Blessbok, quantity of Waterfowl. 
At the other Dealer's depot, there was a very 
fine large Chimpanzee, 3 Lions, some Dog-face 
Monkeys. Both stocks were exceedingly small. 
Returning to the City in the afternoon, there 
now only remained the payment of the taxi. This 
was the most expensive taxi ride that I ever had — 
about twelve dollars — £2 10s. in all — for about 
five hours ride. I might say that cabs are a very 
expensive item in New York and are considered a 
luxury. 
At the Grand Street shop there were some 500 
Doublefronts, Yellownapes, with other Amazons, 
3 Mandrills, 50 Dogfaces, 20 Python Snakes, 
Toucans, small Finches, Clarnicos, 200 Canaries, 
with a few Bluewings. A large trade is done in 
seeds and food preparations. There are two es- 
tablishments in Cortlandt Street; at one I found 
50 Marmozets, 3 Scarlet Ibis, 200 Bluewings, 300 
Cuban, Saffron and other Finches, 200 Parrots, 
quantity of Snakes. Lizards and Ignoras. 
The prices ruled high. Quite 50 1 per cent, 
more than in this country. The Mexican collector 
of this establishment had just returned with a 
varied consignment. In conversation he gave me 
many interesting details in connection with his 
trip. Respecting the Scarlet Ibis he stated that 
the first year they were pure white, the second 
pinkish red, thirdly, bright red, which they always 
remain. 
CUBAN PARROTS. 
The Cuban Parrot Trade is an American In- 
stitution. It has been worked on business lines 
for years. At the present moment there are only 
three importing firms. The business is conducted 
on the following lines : — A representative from 
each firm goes down to the Cuban Mainland, there 
to await the arrival of the Cuban representative 
from the Isle of Pines. The Parrots are taken 
from the nests by Cuban Farmers who bring them 
in to this one agent who acts for the three firms 
on the Isle of Pines. The collection was expected 
to be this season some 3,500 Parrots. These are 
handed over to the three representatives in Havan- 
na, who proceed to Key West, thence by railway 
to New York, where the birds are equally divided 
amongst the three firms. 
There is no insane competition or ill-feeling 
amongst these three firms. They recognise that it 
is to their interest to work together in this particu- 
lar trade, and do so accordingly. What an object 
lesson to English Dealers ! 
JULY 4th.— INDEPENDENCE DAY. 
It was with some feeling of misgiving that I 
awoke on the morning of Independence Day. I 
had been informed that New York "went mad" 
on this auspicious occasion. There were to be 
fireworks, processions, bands, demonstrations, in 
the thoroughfares, also outside Public Buildings. 
I looked in vain for these from 6.30 a.m. until 
9.30 a.m., but found none. I certainly discovered 
some Chinese lanterns, surrounded by cheap flags 
in many surburban gardens, and if this mode of 
celebration pleased the Hybrid Population of New 
York, they were welcome to it. 
It was my desire to attend the Tammy Hall 
Meeting where Col. Theo. Roosevelt had his wordy 
meeting with .Gompers, the Labour Leader of 
America, but the overflow attendance outside the 
Hall was quite enough for me. 
Here, indeed, was some excitement. At 
9.30 1 a.m. my friend, the American, called to take 
me to Coney Island, explaining it Avould be the 
"one time" and "sight" of my varied life. The 
glories of Coney Island had been explained to me 
on the outward voyage. I should find it the one 
ideal of pleasure, the resort of thousands — in fact, 
"The Surburban Pleasure Resort of New York." 
If New Yorkers are proud of Coney Island, again 
I say, they are v-elcome to it. A conglomeration 
of cheap fakes and low down shows. Its patrons 
were the teeming crossbred peoples of the Tender- 
lion district of New York and its adjacent States. 
The Earls Court Exhibition, even in its worst 
season, was far in advance of Coney, with its 
erratic buildings. 
Alighting from the tramcar at the entrance to 
this pleasure resort (?) we emerged into a broad 
thoroughfare containing every variety of games 
known to the ingenuity of American shownnen. It 
is supposed to be entirely an American show- 
ground, but I noticed with great amusement that 
the principal "Throwing and Games of Chance" 
were run and owned by the intelligent Japanese; 
they ran the best blocks. Naturally I was on the 
look out for the Wild Beast Shows. There were 
none. My guide informed me that a decent 
Menagerie, or in fact, a genuine show of any 
kind, would have no patrons. The Coney Islanders 
could only appreciate the "faked" shows and 
"The Harmless Necessary Swindles." 
In the main thoroughfare we discovered 
"Hubert's Freak Mnagerie and Museum." Here, 
at last, was an American Menagerie. Entrance 10 
cents. The Menagerie consisted of some 20 dil- 
apidated Monkeys, in single cages, few small 
Alligators, small Russian Bear, with an American 
Snake Charmer. Such was the Menagerie De- 
partment. The Freaks were decidedly good The 
Giant and the Dwarf, the Legless and Armless, 
