The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 17, 1897, Page 19

Montgomery , in one of the elegant steamers which | combined with | \ THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 1897. 17 / MAY PROVE. = A _VALUABLE- ACQUISITION TO THE PARK MUSEUM . 1 BUT NOT ALTOGETHER UNEXPECTED STOPS ONE OF THOSE UNPLEASAN A TR 4 —L— (e wsars erseones THE CITY OFFICIALS ARE SOMETIMES VERY Accommm THE HORSES ARE. Soma’ VERY TIRED ON REACHING THE ol Street's Reminders of Days Ere Bobtailed Cars Became a Jest The Pet Animal Trade of San Francisco, and the G , except on tl f a day, an very nter- it is a solemn lown. self - impo their perch, like a string of . or a miniatare aviary full of ¥ d little creatures ngs find little exercise 1n nes of their prison home. too, a baby alligator th of infantile ugliness a re giddy all day amuse- for the amuse- The position of any of these establish- for what- vast mu- nature are placed cre certain to arge percentage is the most elab- of ele- goods show- lows of ¢ sting var reover, it 1s &n open question if m \ avery few San Fr ans real I important the y of which these bits of fur and feather are the out- rd and visible sign. Few pr ndi- tuals buy more than one ca ons fin good health and spirirs, entire neighbor- n, i devastate an and one lively and vociferous can make day hideous for ents of several blocks on both his abiding-place. Dogs, of ple buy occasionally and now elds to the fascina- ic and high-pr kittens. e, however, it cer. seem as though the trad and birds, as exemplitied could be erther very ex y profitabie. That nd a fact upon which we San Franciscans should specially con- pratulate ourselves, since every success- ful industry within our borders helps to build up that ‘‘greater San Francisco” for which all our City's loyal sons. nd {aughters are so proudly planning. In direct communication as we are with South America, Australia, China, Japan the tropics generally, our facilities importing birds and heasts are un- tainly does in pet anima Lere in our Gity tensive or 8ati itis both is a fact, a and tinickly settled as the East the trade in bis line would be enormous. As it is now scarcely a steamer comes into port that does not have on her manifesi a of cepuve creatures which appear +l bead of “animals not elsewhere specified, including fowls,” and a ready market is found for all of them Pleasant as is a voyage across the Pacific modern taste and skill, .vish expenditure, have made almost jerfection in their special line, there is rarely a passenger on board who does not welcome the end of the journeyand the cicht of San Francisco’s terraced bills. To the poor little prizoners who have ex: perienced all of tne discomforts and none of the pieasures of the trip the change jrom their cramped quarters on the con- tipuaily shuddering, rolling and noisy front of a ystore must be del d, and were this Western land as | ely in the official reporis under the | vessel to the comparative peace and quiet|-bedied insects or bits of lean meat, as well and positive general comfort of a bird- | ghtful indeed. They are sufficienitly well cared for on | their way, for each one of them represents so much money invested and must be de- | livered in good order, but some of the | larger animals suffer not a litle from genuine mal de mer, and are all more or less depressed by their unwonted sur- | roundings and circumstances. Monke usually stand their sea trials well, for they are the Mark Tapleys of the brute crea- tion, and their mercurial spirits enabl them to rize above the gloomy influences of their environment. Besides this they come over in light and airy cages, six of | | them in each, and doubiless fird much of | solace as well as amusement in each oth- er's society. The Japanese goldfish in their tanks probably think, if they tnink | at all, that the throbbing and shaking | going on all about them is due to| the fact that it is earthquake season | [in their native land, and accordingly | | sccept the situation philosophically. The large varieties of the parrot fam- ily fare rather worse than most of the‘ animals on shipboard, for they are) shipped by the hall dozen in barrels. | Two sticks are fastened solidly across the inside of the barrel, for use as a private gymnasium to relieve the tedium of the vovage; one end is headless and securely | covered with wire netting, a small square hole cut in one side to serve for the double purpose of ventilation and the ad- mittance of food, and the parrots’ state- room 1s then complete. Notwithstanding the limited allowance of space and light given them, however, nearly every parrot of the thousand and more yearly sent here arrives in excellent bodily condition, and in a decently amiable frame of mind. As we have no zoological garden really worthy the name on this coast, and no | traveling menageries of our own, large and ferocious beasts, like lionsand tigers, are brought this way only occasionally to fill special contracts. Baboons and the great apes are aiso infrequent arrivals, but of the smaller monkevs from Africa, Asia and South and Central America several bundred are imported annually. Of these | the Diana, or spotted monkeys, the creen, the white-faced and the Mona, or common | | monkey, are the favorites for pets. The | marmoset, or oustiti, 18 the smallest and prettiest of the monkey tribe, and is very gentle and affectionate, lacking much of the impish mischievousness of its larger brethren. Quite a large number of this species are brought there, but they are delicate little creatures, and very sensitive to cold, and | as a general thing do not thrive well in captivity. If. however, they are properly cared far, given a warm bed, a place in a sunny window, and an owner who remem- bers that they need either plenty of soft- ‘ as fruits and crackers, they will live long and happily, and be a continual delight to their human friends. Several varieties of squirrels are brought from Central America, notably a red and gray squirrel, which are smalier than the red and gray species of our own country, though they differ from them in some minor points. Tame anteaters are occasionally ex- ported from the same place, and, although they are not especially pleasing as pets, are often, since they are quite mless and very interesting in their habits, kept by private persons as curiosities. From Japan come—besides large monkeys, white and blue sparrows, nightingales, gold and silver pheasants and other birds—Japa- nese pugs, the iashionable dog of the mo- ment. These small canine aristocrats are not pugs at all; tiey are spaniels, with long ana silky white coat, drooping ears and large, pathetic eyes. Their scornful little noses, however, are of the true pug brevity and corrugation, and doom them to be generally known by that unlcvely name. One of the prettiest pets imported is the Mexican or Sonora deer, which is a pocket edition of our own beautiful native deer, easily tamed and very appreciative of kindness. Against the mongoose, an amiable ichneumon of India and Mada- gascar, whose persistent war against rats, mice and serpents, and pleasing personal qualities, make him a favorite in his own home, the edict of the State Horticultural Society has gone forth. It has been de- clared, after full ana unprejudiced investi- gation, to be inimical to the fruit interests of our State, because of its ‘‘destrnction of small mammais aud insectivorous birds,’”’ and, together with the South and Central American flying fox and vampire bat, is an object of epecial interest to Mr. Alexander Craw, the watchful and efficient quaran- tine officer of that learned body. Unlim- ited chloroform and a large soft sponge await all animals of these varieties which attempt to gain entry to this port. Of the parrots the gorgeous macaws, the white and rose cockatoos, the beauti- ful lories and the briiliant little paroquets are about equal favorites. The gray par- rot of Western Africa is the best talker, but the green parrot from the banks of the Amazon is aclose second, and of the paro- quets the sentimental littie shell variety, or “love birds,” from -South Africa and Australia are the most universally ad- mirea. A large variety of winged crea- tures, which are in the trade classed under the general head of ‘“small birds,”” come to us from Africa, India, China, | Japan, South and Central America and | Australia, but Australia is far ahead of | its competitors in the business of capiur- | ing avd exporting its feathered inhabi- | tants. Love-birds, cockatoos, lories, rosil- | las and nearly every variety of the exten- sive finch family, including the straw, | paradise, painted, chesinut, zebra, double-bar, cut throat, Napoleon and | bishop finch, together with many | otuer kinds of birds noted for beauty or | song or both, are annuaily sent from there to this port, and novelties in this | line are constantly being placed on the | market. The widah bird is one of the | most curious yet sent us’ It is a tiny creature, about half the size of | an ordinary canery, and yet is the | proud, 1f somewhat overburdened, pos- sessor of a tail composed of two feathers, which are seidom less than twelve inches in length. The proper care and manage- ment of this rather too extensive piece of personal adornment occupies nearly all the time and thought of its owner, and, like many other devotees to senseless fashion, it seems at tumes to feel that life is a failure. . In San Francisco we have the only im- porter of Japanese goldfish in the United States (Mr. Robison), one of whose spe- cialties is this varticular branch of the animal trade. Over 25,000 of these “‘water jewels,” inc!uding the fantail, fringetail, tele:cope and comet varieties, were sold by him during last year's ‘“'sea- son,” which extends from November to March 1, and that there will be a far larger demand for them this year isshown by the orders which bave already come in from all over the couniry. ‘These fish are brought over the ocean in large tanks and shipped to their inland destinations in tin cans, with wire netting over the open tops. They thrive well 1f kept clean and prop- erly fed, and will live for a long time, growing very tame and quite demo stratively affectionate for such cold- blouded little things toward thcse whose special pets they are. 8 Canaries, the most universally prized all the singing birds, are im- of pofted Trom Germany and the Tyrol. The scientific system of breeding practiced in those countries has evolved | over fifty excellent varieties from the original little green songsters which were shipwrecked near Eiba nearly 400 years since, of which the most noted are the jonquil, or Jonque, mealy and St Andreas. Over 3000 are sent to this City annually, from October to January, of which a large number, together with white Java sparrows are exported to Guatemala and South America. Siskins, goldfinches, chaffinches, bullfinches and linnets also come from Germany and are readily sold here and in the adjacent States. The dogs dealt in here are generally, with the exception of the Japanese pugs and Mexican hairless raised by our local fanciers, as are the beautiful and valuable Maltese and Angora cats and many fine varieties of pigeons, vouters, tumblers, homers, jacobins, fan- tails, “coo-doves” and many others. The English foxes and hares imported by Mr. Hobart are for the purposes of sport and not for profit, as the people of San Mateo and adjacent counties may find to their cost should they increase as rapidly and | about the size of a bathtubin a low-priced vrove as mischievous here as they do in their native land. Among the animals for which there is a steady though small de- mand is the ferret, of which irom fiity to seventy-five are sold here yearly. Con- trary to the general opinion, tamo ferrets are very gontle and affectionate, and as they are far better vermin exterminators than cats are readily sold to hotel-keepers and ranch-owners as well as to profes- sional rat-catchers, who earn a good liveli- hood by means of their prowess. The graceful little chameleons, 1200 of which were sold here during the Mid- winter Fair, are no longer in the market. They heve ceased to be fashionable and are allowed to live and die in the happy obscurity of their native wilds. The grewsome habit which the man in charge of the consignment at the fair had of taking the dead ones by the tail and, by a | dexterous movement, snapping their heads off, to secure for future use the tiny collar and chain riveted around their poor little stiff necks, had a good deal to do with the sudden dying out of the fad in this 1ocality. Only a small part of the birds and ani- mals herein mentioned are disposed of on this coast, for this City is the distributing station for a large extent of country this | side the Mississippi, from which the de- | mand for the “‘regular’ kinds of petsis | increasing yearly. At present this special | line of business is virtuaily in the hands | of one local house, though consignments are frequently sent to small deslers, brok- ers, showmen and priva‘e parties. There is money in the business, but there is also much of risk and trouble. The “stock” must have constant and intelli- gent care, proper and snfficient food, shel- ter from cold and medical attendance when ill, or there will be a big balance on | the wrong side of the ledger. The only animal that can be really de- pended upon to adapt himself to almost any new environment and thrive in the midst of untoward circumstancesis the | sea lion. About forty of these are caught off Santa Barbara each year for this San Francisco house and sent East to roar away the ‘remainder of their lives in menageries, seaside resorts and cheap | museums. Intended as they are by nature to enjoy unlimited elbow-room in the rolling salt waters of the broad Paaifc, | these huge seals live for years in tunlul flat, and there are authenticated instances | of members of this easily snited family living for ten years in inland towns where salt water is a luxury unobtainable, ani they had to take their continual baths in fresh water or join the ranks of the ‘‘great unwashed.” FrLoRENCE PERCY MATHESON. | THE YAQUIS AND THEIR ‘HEROIC STORY. By far the most unique and interesting tribe of Indians existing upon the West- ern hemisphere at this time 1s the Yaquis, whose home is in the northwestern por- tion of the republic of Mexico, State of Sonora. Hunted and oppressed by the Spanish conquerors and their successors the Yaquis, who four centuries ago domi- nated ths whole northern section of the territory of Mexico, have decreased in numbers until now haraly 10,000 of all the tribes are left out of the 3,000,000 they are estimated to bave numbered when the conqueror, Cortez, landed. Cortez and his lieutenants found their most determined and skillful opponents in the Yaquis. But the genius of the white man eventually overcame the feeble opposition of the Indians, who were finally subjugated and compelled to acknowledge their conquerors as their sovereign masters. When the mineral resources of the new land began to be realized by the Spaniards they forced the whole conquered population to work as slaves in the mines which had been dis- covered and opened through their enter- prise. { Here olden Profits It Yearly Yields plate the Yaquis were forced to divuige to the Spaniards the sources of their wealth in silver, gold and prec ous stones. The rapacity of the conquerors was not satis- fied witn the impoverishment of the aborigines. They claimed their bodies as well and for years and years after their conquest, in fact until the beginning of the present century the miserable Yaquis were the victims of a tyranny that 1s only possible where the Spanish racs is dominant. Not until it was discovered that so many of the Indians had been killed that not | enough were left to work the mines did the King of Spain issue a decree that in some respects ameliorated the condition of the slaves and prevented their uliimate extermination. The history of these people during these three centuries of oppression has not .been written. It is too bloody and cruel to be recorded, but thisis known that the Yaquis preserved that spirit of liberty which sull flames out so conspicuously to-day. Their hatred of the Spanish races is as ereat as ever. Preserving their tribal organizations, the Yaquis, responding to tie commands of their chiefs, deserted their homes in other parts of Mexico and repaired early in the century to the State of Sonora, a country of mountain fasinesses, fertile plains, and capable of successful defense. in the remote and inacce heights of the Sierra Madre they lished their headquarters, meanwh tivating with native art the fertile plains and valleys, building houses of stone, constructing irrigating works and increas- ing in numbers and wealth, and defying the armies that the republic periodically sent out for their extermination. ‘The wars between the Yaqu's and Mex- ico have been costly and sanguinary in the extreme. Invariably victory has re- mained with the Indians. Their ability to adapt conditions to their defense, their skill as marksmen, their strategy and, above all, their devotion to tneir country, have contributed to their success. In agneultural pursuits, weaving, pot- tery, iron-working and in many other of utilitarian arts the Yaquis excel. When fairly used they make excellent and faith- ful servanis. They are employed at rough Work on the railroads and are ever cheer- fu! and uncomplaining. As wairiors they are fierce, brave, unre- lenting and vindictive. ThLey never takea live prisoner. It has been suspected that the republic of Mexico uiilizes the Yaquis in the punishment of regiments who are insubordinate or suspected of revolution- ary sentiments. A campaign against the tribes effectually disposes of ill-affected {‘soldiers and lands them beyond the power to cause further trouble. But a brighter duy is dawning for this heroic race. An American company has secured a conces- sion to hundreds of thousands of acres on both sides of the Yaqui river and will open the fertile plains'and valleys of Sonora to cultivation and settlernent. These lards vroduce, even under the most primitive cultivation, three to four crops a year. All fruits of a tropical nature grow in luxuriant profusion. Everything requiring a high temperature can be raised in the Sonora country, and about the, only laborers who can with- stand the torrid heat are the heroic Yuquis. Under the supervision of the American concession the Yaquis will be employed. Mexico surrenders the con- trol of these unconquered Indians, wio have consented to be the vassals of the “good men from over the Rio Grands.” 1t is said that diamonds—especially the class known as “rose diamionds’’—are likely to explode if subjected only to what would seem a very ordinary degree of By tortures too awful to contem- | heat, such as strong rays from the sun.