THE BABOON. 



nostrils, and induced it, after a brief mental struggle, to pick just a little bit from the 

 fowl, and to put the bird back again. This was done accordingly, but the experiment 

 was so very successful that it was speedily repeated. Again and again was a morsel 

 pinched from the fowl, until the natural consummation followed the fowl was picked 

 quite clean, and nothing left but the bones. 



Now came remorse and sudden fear, causing the wretched animal to chatter with 

 terror at the thought of the scarifying which was sure to follow so grievous an offence. 



What was the poor thing to do ? Time was passing, and the master must soon return 

 for his dinner. At last a brill- 

 iant thought flashed through the 

 animal's brain, and it immedi- 

 ately acted upon the idea. 



Now, in order to understand 

 the depth of the craft which was 

 employed, it must be remem- 

 bered that the baboons are fur- 

 nished, in common with very 

 many monkeys, with two callos- 

 ities on the hinder quarters, 

 which serve them for seats, and 

 which are, in these animals, of a 

 bright red color. 



Rolling itself over and over in 

 the dust, it covered its body with 

 an uniformly sombre coating, 

 and then, gathering itself well 

 together, and putting its head 

 and knees on the ground, it pre- 

 sented an appearance marvel- 

 lously resembling a rough block 

 of stone with two pieces of raw 

 meat laid on its top. In those 

 climates the birds of prey abso- 

 lutely swarm, and, being encour- 

 aged by their well-earned impu- 

 nity, crowd round every place 

 where cooking is going on, and 

 where they may have a chance 

 of securing a portion, either by 

 lawful gift, or lawless rapine. 

 Several of these birds, among 

 which were some kites, being 

 attracted by the scent of the 

 boiling meat, came to the spot, 



THE BABOON. Cyaocephalus Babouln. 



and seeing, as they thought, 

 some nice raw meat temptingly 

 laid out for them, swept upon their fancied prize. 



In a moment the baboon had sprung to its feet, and, with a rapid clutch, seized 

 one of the kites. The cover was again taken off the pot, and the shrieking and strug- 

 gling prisoner thrust into the boiling water in spite of its beak and claws. The lid was 

 then replaced, and the baboon resumed its post of sentry with the placid ease that be- 

 longs to a conscience void of offence. 



The baboons, when in their native fastnesses, are under a very complete system of 

 discipline, and enforce its code upon each other most strictly. Considering the daring in- 

 roads which these creatures constantly make upon their neighbors' property, the most 

 wary vigilance is necessary for the safety of the whole community. 



The acknowledged chiefs of the association are easily recognized by the heavy mass 



