118 THE NATURALIST IX NICARAGUA. [Ch. VII. 



on a branch and an eagle beside it trying to frighten it 

 to turn its back, when it would have seized it. The 

 monkey, however, kept its face to its foe, and the eagle 

 did not care to engage with it in this position, but 

 probably would have tired it out. Velasquez fired at the 

 eagle, and frightened it away. I think it likely, from 

 what I have seen of the habits of this monkey, that they 

 defend themselves from its attack by keeping two or three 

 together, thus assisting each other, and that it is only 

 when the eagle finds one separated from its companions 

 that it dares to attack it. 



Sometimes, but more rarely, a troop of the white-faced 

 cebus monkey would be fallen in with, rapidly running 

 away, throwing themselves from tree to tree. This 

 monkey feeds also partly on fruit, but is incessantly on 

 the look-out for insects, examining the crevices in trees 

 and withered leaves, seizing the largest beetles and 

 munching them up with greatest relish. It is also very 

 fond of eggs and young birds, and must play havoc 

 amongst the nestlings. Probably owing to its carnivorous 

 habits, its flesh is not considered so good by monkey- 

 eaters as that of the fruit-feeding spider-monkey ; but I 

 never myself tried either. It is a very intelligent and 

 mischievous animal. I kept one for a long time as a pet, 

 and was much amused with its antics. At first, I had 

 it fastened with a light chain ; but it managed to open 

 the links and escape several times, and then made straight 

 for the fowls' nests, breaking every egg it could get hold 

 of. Generally, after being a day or two loose, it would 

 allow itself to be caught again. I tried tying it up with, 

 a cord, and afterwards with a raw- hide thong, but had 

 to nail the end, as it could loosen any knot in a few 



