THE TAMARINS. 149 



Habits. — " The Midas urs2iliis is never seen," writes Mr. 

 Bates, " in large flocks ; three or four is the greatest number 

 observed together. It seems to be less afraid of the neigh- 

 bourhood of Man than any other Monkey. I sometimes saw 

 it in the woods which border the suburban streets, and once 

 I espied two individuals in a thicket behind the English Con- 

 sul's house at Nazareth. Its mode of progression along the 

 main boughs of the lofty trees is like that of the Squirrels ; it 

 does not ascend to the slender branches, or take wonderful 

 flying leaps like those Monkeys whose prehensile tails and 

 flexible hands fit them for such headlong travelling. It con- 

 fines itself to the larger boughs and trunks of trees, its long 

 nails being of great assistance to the creature, enabling it to 

 cling securely to the bark ; and it is often seen passing rapidly 

 round the perpendicular cylindrical trunks. It is a quick, 

 restless, timid little creature, and has a great share of curiosity, 

 for when a person passes by under the trees along which a 

 flock is running, they always stop for a few moments to have a 

 stare at the intruder." In Para, the Negro Tamarin "is often 

 seen in a tame state in the houses of the inhabitants. . . . 

 When first taken, or when kept tied up, it is very timid and 

 irritable. It will not allow itself to be approached, but keeps 

 retreating backwards when anyone attempts to coax it. It is 

 always in a querulous humour, uttering a twittering, complain- 

 ing noise; its dark, watchful eyes, expressive of distrust, are 

 observant of every movement which takes place near it. When 

 treated kindly, however, as it generally is in the houses of the 

 natives, it becomes very tame and familiar. . . . It is 

 generally fed on sweet fruits, such as the banana ; but it is 

 also fond of insects, especially soft-bodied spiders and grass- 

 hoppers, which it will snap up with eagerness when within 



