238 OUR HOME PETS 



fortably tight, perhaps because the animal has 

 grown, and his fur is apt entirely to conceal it. 

 I have known more than one made very cross 

 and nearly killed by this band, who on being 

 relieved of it changed greatly for the better 

 both in health and temper. 



Marmosets living under conditions so unnat- 

 ural are extremely delicate, and need thought- 

 ful care, first as to food, which should be mostly 

 fruit, with bread and oatmeal or other grain if 

 they like it ; and secondly, though perhaps 

 even more important, as to warmth. A mar- 

 moset prefers to be about the person of his 

 keeper. I knew one that was perfectly happy 

 in a round knitting-ball basket hung from his 

 mistress's belt, and another who spent nearly 

 all his time in the breast-pocket of his master's 

 coat. A completely equipped doll's cradle 

 furnished one pet with a comfortable nest by 

 day and bed by night, and he would slip under 

 the covers as deftly as anybody. 



A marmoset that I kept myself lived com- 

 fortably all winter on a mantel against a chim- 

 ney which a furnace fire kept always warm, in 

 a room that was never cold. The mantel was 

 covered with a board wrapped in flannel, and 



