12 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



through the cage bars, paying no attention to food offered her at the 

 time by other visitors ; yet she took a malicious pleasure in grabbing 

 little boys by the leg as they passed, and moped when part of the 

 cage was wired up to prevent this amusement. I have seen her tear 

 off about half of a native woman's linen shawl, and promptly cover 

 her own head with it, to the great edification of its former owner, who 

 laughed till she had to lean against a lady friend for support. This 

 specimen did not live very long, and was found on her death to be 

 grossly fat, but after this an outdoor extension was made to the Orang 

 cage in this house, and when I left Calcutta a young pair had been 

 thriving in it for some time. The male of these was decidedly inclined 

 to be mischievous, and when exhibited in a climate like that of Calcutta, 

 where temperature allows fresh air to be given, the Orang is certainly 

 more cheerful and energetic than it appears over here, though, as above 

 remarked, it cannot be called hardy even in the East. 



The instinct of covering its head is very marked, and in the wild 

 state the animal is said to cover itself over with large leaves when 

 sleeping in its nest, should the weather be wet or chilly ; it is not an 

 early riser, and goes to bed betimes, in conformity with its generally 

 sluggish nature. 



