THE VERVET MONKEY OR BLUE APE 



it. At these times food is so scarce that numbers 

 perish, while the remainder become lank and 

 lean. 



On stock farms the Vervet Monkeys render ex- 

 cellent service in clearing the herbage of a variety 

 of insect pests, including locusts. The bush- 

 dwelling antelopes and Vervet Monkeys often 

 fraternise. They descend from the trees and relieve 

 the bucks of vermin. This is a sight which few 

 have seen, for both antelopes and apes have the 

 keenest of sight and hearing, while the former have 

 the added gift of acute scent. 



Lying motionless under a dense shrub watching 

 a glade, and waiting to observe whatever form of 

 life might venture from the surrounding thicket, 

 I have seen Duikers and Bushbucks venture 

 forth and fraternise with one another. Anon the 

 monkeys dropped down from the trees and began 

 hunting through the fur of the bucks for vermin, 

 which they ate ; the antelopes meanwhile standing 

 or lying calmly and at their ease. The observation 

 of the denizens of mountain, forest, veld, and stream, 

 without oneself being noticed, requires an unlimited 

 stock of patience. 



In Natal the Vervet Monkey used to be a great 

 pest to the natives, as well as European farmers, and 

 in many places it is still a nuisance. I have seen 

 entire fields of mealies, kafir corn, pumpkins, sweet 

 potatoes, orchards, and kitchen gardens destroyed 

 by them, the owners being more or less powerless 



II 



