THE CAPUCHINS. 



207 



Older individuals have the head longer than the younger 

 ones, and the shoulders yellowish instead of white. Length 

 of the body, 13^ inches ; of the tail, 17 inches. 



Distribution. This species was discovered by Humboldt in 

 the low lands of Colombia. From Colombia its range extends 

 north to Nicaragua. It has been obtained in Veragua, in 

 Panama, in Costa Rica, and in the north-east of the country 

 between the Pacuar and Chirripo rivers, and also on the moun- 

 tains of Candalaria. 



HaMts. The White-throated Capuchin feeds partly on fruit, 

 as Mr. Belt has narrated in his well-known " Naturalist in 

 Nicaragua." He adds : " It is incessantly on the look out for 

 insects, examining the crevices in trees and withered leaves, 

 seizing the largest beetles and munching them up with the 

 greatest relish. It is also very fond of eggs and young birds, 

 and must play havoc amongst the nestlings. Probably owing 

 to its carnivorous habits, its flesh is not considered so good by 

 Monkey-eaters as that of the fruit-eating Spider-Monkey ; but 

 I never myself tried either." 



Mr. Salvin saw a troop of these Monkeys in company with 

 several Spider -Monkeys by the margin of a watercourse in 

 Nicaragua, and remarked that the actions of the latter were 

 bolder and more active than those of the Capuchins, which 

 were slower and more timid. 



According to Cuvier, the cry of this animal in captivity is a 

 continuous soft whistle until its wants are satisfied ; if it wants 

 nothing this whistle is intermittent, and very soft. When in 

 terror, its cry is a veritable bark, broken by silent intervals. 



It is extremely docile and very intelligent ; the look in its 

 eyes is remarkably penetrating, and it appears to read in the 



