150 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



each member carrying one or two mealie cobs in hand 

 or armpit, while the cheek pouches were, no doubt, also 

 crammed full of loot. 



Although intensely destructive, the baboon never- 

 theless has more to his credit than is generally recognized. 

 Locusts in the hopping stage have no more formidable 

 enemies, and possibly they do more good in this respect 

 than any other kind of bird or beast. Scorpions and 

 other disagreeable insects also pay a heavy toll, and the 

 baboon's method of dealing with the former is interesting. 

 When the removal of a stone has disclosed the presence 

 underneath of one of these creatures, the baboon pounces 

 on it, and, with lightning-like rapidity, tears off the sting 

 which adorns the end of the tail. Having thus rendered 

 his prey harmless, he loses no time in tearing it to pieces 

 and eating it. Although the young ones probably soon 

 learn this trick, it is clearly a lesson learned by imitation, 

 for an animal captured in very early infancy refused 

 firmly to have anything to do with scorpions. It showed, 

 moreover, the most intense fear of even a dead snake, so 

 this feeling must either be inborn or must be implanted 

 by the mother at a very early age. 



When encountered in the forest baboons show them- 

 selves very alert and wary, making off at the first alarm ; 

 but, perched among their rocks, in places where they 

 have been unaccustomed to much persecution at the 

 hands of man, they are far bolder, evidently deeming 

 themselves secure from molestation. 



The baboon is possessed of remarkable intelligence, 

 which he displays alike in a wild state and in captivity. 

 It is most interesting and instructive to watch, from 

 some concealed position, the social life of a troop which 

 fancies itself to be unobserved. Perched about at in- 

 tervals among the rocks are some of the older males, 



