MAMMALS AS NEST BUILDERS 123 



cage, Jacob spent a few minutes roaming about 

 the house, then, picking up a flower -pot containing 

 a growing plant, he hurled it through a plate -glass 

 window, seized the wooden window-frame in his 

 hands and, with consummate ease, broke it to 

 pieces ; after which he passed through the opening 

 thus made, climbed upon the roof of the building, 

 and from there proceeded to a tall tree which 

 happened to be close by. Finding this situation 

 to his liking, Jacob commenced to build a nest 

 for himself amidst the branches by breaking off 

 the boughs within his reach and placing them across 

 one another, and, having completed the work to 

 his satisfaction, he settled down to rest after his 

 labours. The nest, a photograph of which is here 

 reproduced, was finished within the course of about 

 ten minutes. In the meanwhile his escape had 

 been discovered, and the authorities at the Gardens, 

 together with a number of keepers who were sup- 

 plied with lanterns for it was a dark November 

 day, and about 8 o'clock in the evening en- 

 deavoured by various means to induce him to return 

 to his cage. But Jacob had no wish to leave his 

 new quarters, and as the men were unable to force 

 him to do so, they surrounded the house and tree, 

 and settled down for a night's vigil. After some 

 time, however, the ape, probably feeling some- 

 what cold in the open air after the accustomed 

 warmth of his old home, left the nest and ensconced 

 himself within the shelter of a large ventilator 

 situated upon the top of his house, and, to cut a 

 long story short, ultimately entered his domicile 



