THE ORGAN GRINDER'S MONKEY 



of this genus are to be found among the inhabitants 

 of the monkey house. 



CAPUCHIN MONKEY 



It is not necessary to go to the Zoological Gardens 

 to make oneself acquainted with the capuchins ; for 

 they are frequently, more frequently than any other 

 kind of monkey, the companion of the peripatetic organ- 

 grinder, and their mild, inquisitive faces and chirruping 

 sounds must be well known to most persons. There is 

 a great variety of these monkeys, which may be re- 

 garded as quite the typical Platyrrhine monkeys. 

 Their round face and but slightly projecting muzzle 

 give them a human appearance, which is not attained 

 to by the monkeys of the Old World so thoroughly. 

 Their tails are not quite so perfectly prehensile as in 

 many of the American monkeys in the Spider monkey, 

 for instance. They are also docile and gentle, though 

 it is doubtful whether this can be honestly considered 

 to be any grounds for a likeness to man. The capu- 

 chins are always abundantly on view at the Zoo, and 

 as a rule several species are to be seen, though the 

 limits of species in this genus of Platyrrhines is rather 

 a matter for further study than for the present and 

 dogmatic statement. Some eighteen have been allowed. 

 The capuchins are determined insect eaters, as well as 

 devourers of fruits ; they rob nests and eat up eggs 

 and nestlings alike. At the Zoo they have an engaging 

 way of holding out their hands for gifts, and this action 

 is accompanied by a little plaintive whistling. They 

 appear to be on good terms with each other as well as 

 with the public. Tree-bred creatures as they are, the 

 capuchins are naturally expert climbers and leapers ; 

 huge distances are traversed by them in bounding from 

 branch to branch. A jump downwards of fifty feet 



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