One trifling incident became a subject of interest and excitement that would have been absurd under any other circumstances than the present. On Good-Friday a _gorrion_ (sparrow) was found dead in the _Plaza de Armas_ by a volunteer. Some say, though others contradict the report, that the poor little bird had its eyes torn out, its heart transfixed with pins, and a paper attached to one of its feet containing the words, _Asi mueran todos los gorriones_--"May all sparrows die thus!" Now, it must be understood that _gorrion_ is another of the appellations bestowed on the Spaniards by the Cubans. A few sparrows having been brought from Europe to the island by some ship-captain, they prospered and multiplied in such a degree that they soon outnumbered and domineered over the _Bijirita_, a native bird somewhat smaller, but much resembling the sparrow in form, color, and habits. An analogy being imagined between the Spaniards and the new-comer--the name of _gorrion_ was given to all the natives of the peninsula of Spain, while the Cubans adopted that of _Bijirita_. The little dead _gorrion_ found on Good-Friday was placed with much ceremony in a glass coffin, and laid in state in a room of one of the barracks, on a lofty catafalque, with velvet pall and lighted tapers and a guard of honor. Crowns of fresh flowers, and of red and yellow "everlastings," were suspended around and above the remains of the typical bird, and two exquisite nosegays, each more than three feet high, and as much in circumference, the gifts of the captain-general and of the _generala_ his wife, stood one at the head, the other at the foot of the mimic tomb. All the volunteers paid their respects with much ceremony to the little representative of their race, and so many people crowded to visit it on Holy-Saturday that it was at last determined to utilize public curiosity. On Easter-Sunday every person who wished to see the _gorrion_ was obliged to pay ten cents, which were to go to the fund destined to aid the volunteers disabled in the present terrible struggle. On Easter morning the sum received amounted to three hundred and fifty-one dollars! A great number of songs, sonnets, and odes were composed in honor of the poor little bird, and the manuscripts were tied by colored ribbons to the crowns suspended above it. They have since been collected and printed, and sold for the benefit of the same fund. Many of them were published in the _Diario de la Marina_, the official daily paper of Havana. The following are specimens of the effusions: AL GORRION. Gloria al Gorrion que aquì veis Inanimado y marchito, Ya jamas de su piquito El dulce canto oireis. Pero en cambio no olvideis Los que lo mireis con saña, Que si ya la muerte empaña Su mirada inteligente, De su raza prepotente Hay millones in España! _La Compañia de Cazadores del 7^o Batallon._ TO THE SPARROW.