THE HOWLERS. 203 



upper part of sides, yellowish-brown ; lower part of sides 

 brownish-yellow, lengthened into a mantle ; arms, legs, and tail 

 black. Length, 19^ inches; tail, 20^. 



The late Mr. Alston, in describing the Mammals of Central 

 America, in Messrs. Godman and Salvin's monumental work, 

 " Biologia Centrali- Americana," observes that " this Howler 

 presents considerable variety in the depth of the black 

 or brown-black ground-colour, and in the extent of the fulvous 

 tints of the flanks and loins. Dr. v. Frantzius states that the 

 Howlers which he saw in Costa Rica were darker than is 

 indicated by Dr. Gray's description ; and in several of the 

 Panama examples the light markings are much reduced, but in 

 others they are quite as conspicuous as in the Nicaraguan 

 types." Mr. Alston, therefore, agrees with Prof. Schlegel, that 

 the variation does not depend on locality. 



Distribution. Shores and islands of the lake of Nicaragua ; 

 Costa Rica; Panama; Islet of Hicaron, at the southern ex- 

 tremity of Quibo Island, off the Coast of Veragua. South of 

 the Isthmus of Panama, the Red Howler (A. senicula) re- 

 places the Mantled Howler. 



Habits. The habits of the Mantled Howler do not differ 

 widely from those of the species already described. It prefers 

 the highest branches of the trees of the dense forests ; and is 

 harmless to the plantations of the natives. In disposition it is 

 dull and melancholy, and is rarely kept in confinement. It is 

 said, however, to reconcile itself to captivity more than some 

 of the others referred to in previous pages. According to 

 Dr. v. Frantzius, a tame male individual of this species was 

 observed to howl whenever rain-clouds gathered, and also 

 regularly at five o'clock every morning. 



