48 QUADRUMANA. 



tics are a slender form and limbs, a depressed cranium, delicate short 

 hands with long thumbs, a long tuftless tail, large cheek pouches, and 

 large gluteal callosities. These are generally vivid, in some species very 

 varied. About Hvcnty-four species are known, all natives of the tropical 

 regions of Africa. They all choose for their abode woods near rivers; 

 by preference in the vicinity of cultivated land. It is worthy of remark 

 that this genus of monkey and parrots correspond not merely in form 

 and manner of life, but in geographical distribution. Wherever in 

 Africa these^apes are found, parrots may be looked for ; wherever there 

 are parrots there Ccrcopitluci are found. Between the two continual war 

 is waged, the cause of strife being the tail feathers of the parrot. 



The motives that incite the monkeys to pluck out these feathery 

 trophies are twofold, each of them dear to the very soul of the mischiev- 

 ous creature. The first and most obvious motive is that ot sheer mis- 

 chief, but the second is of rather a more complex character. When an 

 immature feather is recently drawn from a bird, its quill portion is gen- 

 erally soft, and filled with the material by which the feather is supplied 

 with nourishment. The monkeys take great delight in sucking these 

 soft feathers ; and in order to procure a supply of this curious dainty, 

 chase the poor parrots, even to the tops of the trees. At first sight, it 

 would appear that the legs and arms of the monkey would have little 

 chance of wiiuiing a prize defended by the beak and wings of the parrots, 

 which sit exultantly screaming on twigs that bear their weight easily 

 enough, but are too slender even for the monkeys to venture upon. But 

 the restless vigilance and quick hand of the monkey often win the day ; 

 and while the parrot is shrieking defiance to an enemy in front, it is 

 suddenly startled from its fancied security bv the loss of its tail, wliich 

 has been snatched away by a stealthy foe from behind. The deafening 

 din which is occasioned by the joint voices of parrots and monkeys, may 

 be easier imagined than described. 



They are the most social and active of all apes. They live in large 

 bands ; they form a state of their own, and acknowledge no chief but the 

 strongest of their fellows; they make themselves at home everywhere, 

 and seem to pass their lives without fear of hunger, and in continual 

 cheerfulness. Infinite frivolity and a ridiculous seriousness unite in all 

 their actions. No object is too remote, no tree-top too high, no treasure 

 secure enough, no property respected, when these apes appear. The 

 traveler hears the calls of the ape leader, and soon his ears detect the 



