THE BROWN CAPUCHIN 43 



even the Brown species is a scarce animal compared with the ordinary 

 Asiatic Macaques and African Guenons. It is also more delicate, though 

 this may be partly due to the fact that people into whose hands it falls 

 do not allow for its carnivorous propensities, so that it is kept on too 

 low a diet. 



With a great deal of the ordinary monkey malice and mischief, the 

 Capuchin displays a great capacity for affection to people to whom it 

 takes a fancy, and its great intelligence makes it about the most attrac- 

 tive of all pets for people who like an interesting animal. A very 

 excellent account of the ways of a tame Brown Capuchin is given by 

 Romanes in his book "Animal Intelligence," he having borrowed a 

 male of this species from the Zoological Gardens for the express purpose 

 of study. A diary of the monkey's proceedings was kept by the late 

 professor's sister, who had the chief charge of the creature, which, 

 nevertheless, did not show any fondness for her, much preferring the 

 lady's mother, an invalid. His tenderness with her was touching to 

 witness ; he was always happy when on her bed, and would let her 

 take anything away from him, though in such a case he would often 

 vent his dissatisfaction on any one else, especially if he were laughed 

 at. If unable to bite people through being chained up, he would throw 

 anything at them which he could manipulate, and, when he found that 

 throwing things at their feet did not annoy them particularly, would 

 climb up wherever he could and launch his missiles at their heads. 

 He had a great idea of the use of tools, used a hammer quite naturally 

 for breaking his nuts, and often tried to open the trunk in which they 

 were kept with a key, while he would use a cane to drive away the dog 

 with. When confined away from his chief friend, he was more amiable 

 to his younger protectress, and would put pieces of his food into her 

 hand, and submit to be robbed of his treasures. Towards Professor 

 Romanes himself he exhibited the very greatest affection, rather un- 

 accountably, as that gentleman had very little to do with him. 



This account of the intelligence of the Brown Capuchin is paralleled 

 by Belt's remarks on the Nicaraguan kind which he kept tied up in 

 his verandah. This monkey would bring otherwise inaccessible articles 



