HABITS OF THE GIBBONS. 37 



and when they use their arms they resemble cripples on L.t,tches. 

 The Wauwau is the most agile. He ascends the smooth stems of the 

 bamboo, swings the tall cane backwards and forwards till he gathers 

 the required impetus, then flies over a space of thirteen or fourteen 

 yards, grasps another twig, a third, a fourth, and so on, till he seems 

 to shoot like an arrow. He is proud of his agility and is fond of dis- 

 playing it when there is no occasion. A female Wauwau in London 

 was kept in a large enclosure where trees were planted at a distance of 

 seven or eight yards apart. All spectators were struck with wonder at 

 its performances. It sprung from one tree to another without any pre- 

 paratory efforts, and never failed in its leap. It would continue this 

 performance for a considerable time, seeming scarcely to touch the 

 boughs. No less remarkable was the sureness of its hand and eye. If 

 an apple was flung at it during its flight, it caught it without a pause in 

 its course. In the midst of its swiftest career it could in a twinkling 

 change the direction of its flight, or come suddenly to a sitting position, 

 in which it seemed as if it had never been in motion. 



If a young one in captivity could display such astonishing feats of 

 agility, it is needless to say that the adult Gibbon in its native forests 

 moves like a swallow through the air. 



The HULOCKS form bands of a hundred or a hundred and fifty 

 members, and are usually seen in the tops of very high trees, occa- 

 sionally descending to disport themselves in the clearings of the 

 forest. Owen relates that in riding through the jungle he came upon 

 a powerful band ; the trees were full of them ; they screamed and 

 grimaced at the intruder, and some of the bolder spirits followed him 

 as if with the intention to attack. Such attacks on travelers are said 

 to be not uncommon. Owen's account, however, is at variance with 

 all other observers, who agree in describing the Gibbon as running 

 away from the sight of man. 



At sunrise and sunset the Gibbons assemble and unite their voices in 

 a clamor that can be heard a full mile away. This cry is very peculiar. 

 Bennett says it begins with the fundamental note E and goes up through 

 the chromatic scale to the E an octave higher. As it runs up the scale, 

 the semitones come out slower and slower ; as it descends, the notes 

 increase in rapidity till the end is a yelling scream. The regularity, 

 swiftness and precision with which these animals run up the scale is 

 astonishing. The Wauwau derives its name from its cry. It begins 



