The Mind of a Monkey 247 



pursuit of possible parasites. 



One marked trait of Lizzie's behavior was the 

 ease with which she became alarmed at any unusual 

 object or occurrence. After some months of ac- 

 quaintance, when she would sit contentedly on my 

 shoulder, any quick movement would inspire her with 

 fear. A certain instinctive dread of being taken un- 

 awares seemed to be an ineradicable part of her 

 mental make-up. Bred to a life of continued watch- 

 fulness and fear in the forests of her native home, 

 she was gifted, to a very unusual degree, with the 

 faculties that make for the ready detection and 

 avoidance of danger. For keenness of perception, 

 rapidity of action, facility in forming good prac- 

 tical judgments about ways and means of escaping 

 pursuit and of attaining various other ends, Lizzie 

 had few rivals in the animal world. She frequently 

 surprised me by getting out at a half-opened door 

 which I thought I had effectually guarded, or in grab- 

 bing a bit of food from me which I was confident 

 she could not reach. Her perceptions and decisions 

 were so much more rapid than my own that she 

 would frequently transfer her attention, decide upon 

 a line of action, and carry it into effect, before I was 

 aware of what she was about. Until I came to 

 guard against her nimble and unexpected maneuvers 

 she succeeded in getting possession of many apples 

 and peanuts which I had not intended to give her 

 except upon the successful performance of some task. 



In disposition Lizzie was gentle and tractable, and 



