36 TRAITS OF YOUNG CHIMPANZEES 



were abundant. They readily became attached to those 

 whom they saw constantly and learned to trust. Of gentle 

 disposition naturally, they are affectionate and loyal, ap- 

 preciating kindness and, in case of Chim, at least apparently 

 understanding reasonable discipline and even punishment. 



NEST BUILDING 



Nest building is one of the favorite play activities of the 

 young chimpanzee. Perhaps I should say the young male, 

 for in this case the female was not observed to construct any 

 tree nests, although she rarely made incipient moves toward 

 the construction of nests on the ground. Chim sometimes 

 built several nests in the birch trees of the New Hampshire 

 pasture in rapid succession. Again, a week or more would 

 pass without any move on his part toward nest construction. 

 The performance suggests innate equipment. The little male 

 climbs a tree and suddenly begins to pull toward him the 

 branches and twigs within easy reach. As he draws them in 

 he tucks them under him. Some of the branches break off 

 and these stay in place and help to hold those which are 

 unbroken. If the materials within easy reach are not suffici- 

 ent to make a good solid nest the animal breaks off adjacent 

 small branches and carries them to the nest. In the course of 

 five or ten minutes Chim can thus construct a nest of leaf 

 covered boughs, usually located 10 or 15 feet from the ground 

 in case of my observations, which will comfortably and safely 

 hold him. On completing a nest he commonly would try it 

 for a short time and then turn to some other form of amuse- 

 ment. In no case was he seen to construct a cover or roof or 

 to attempt to cover himself while lying in a tree nest. His 

 interest was limited to the process of construction; use was 

 not involved and he was seldom seen to return to old nests. 



