THE PIG -TAILED MACAQUE. 53 



On one occasion, a young lady happened to pass near a cage where a pair of these animals 

 were confined, and their attention was immediately drawn to some beautiful white feathers 

 winch she bore on her hat. Now, the monkeys were far too wise to betray the least emotion, 

 and not even by a look did they show that they had even observed the objects on which their 

 very hearts were fixed. But any one who knew the ways of monkeys could divine, by the 

 sudden sparkle of the eye, that there was mischief brewing. 



For some time, all went on as usual. The two monkeys held out their paws for nuts, 

 cracked them, ate the sound kernels, and flung the bad nuts at the donors, just as if they 

 had nothing on their minds, and had no soul above nuts. Interested by the amusing pranks 

 which the creatures were playing, the owner of the feathers incautiously approached within 

 reach of the cage. 



Almost too quickly for the eye to follow, one of the Bruhs shot down the bars, and with 

 a single adroit movement, whipped out one of the white feathers and leaped to the back of 

 the cage. 



Seating himself on the ground, he gravely inspected his prize, turning it over in every 

 direction, smelling it critically, and biting off little strips of the feather, in order to ascertain 

 the flavor. Having satisfied himself on these points, he stuck the feather behind one of his 

 ears, so that it drooped over his head in ludicrous imitation of the manner in which it had 

 been fastened into the hat. Thus accoutred, he paraded about the floor of the cage with 

 stately pride. 



His companion now thought himself entitled to some share in the booty, and, creeping up 

 stealthily from behind, made a sudden spring at the feather. It was quite useless, for the 

 original thief was on the alert, and, putting the feather in his mouth, climbed up a suspended 

 rope with wonderful agility ; and in order to guard against an attack from below, he coiled up 

 the rope with his hinder feet as fast as he ascended, thus cutting off all communication. When 

 he i*eached the ceiling, he hitched his fingers and toes through the staple to which the rope 

 was attached, and thus remained for awhile in perfect security. 



However, even a monkey's limbs will not maintain their hold for ever, and the Bruh was 

 forced to descend. His companion was waiting for him on the floor, and, when he reached 

 the ground, gave chase, the two monkeys leaping about the cage, climbing the bars, and 

 swinging from the ropes in the most agile manner. 



At last they seemed to be tired of the game, and, sitting on one of the bars, amicably set 

 to work at the feather, picking out each vane separately, nibbling it, and spurting the frag- 

 ments on the floor. 



Just «it this juncture the keeper made his appearance at the door, and the very gleam of 

 his cap was a signal for the delinquents to dive into the furthermost corner of their cage, out of 

 reach of stick or whip. The feather was ultimately restored to its rightful owner, but as its 

 shaft had been bitten nearly through, had lost many of its snowy vanes, and hung limp and 

 flaccid, as if it had been mangled, there was but slight probability of its ever renewing its 

 position upon hat or bonnet. 



As to the depredators, they were incorrigible. Hardly had the excitement caused by 

 the feather-robbery begun to subside, when a fresh storm of laughter and exclamations 

 arose. 



On my returning to the cage, the same monkey was seen perched on his bar examining 

 leisurely a new prize in the shape of a bracelet, which he had snatched from the hand of a 

 lady who was offering some biscuit. It was one of those bracelets that are composed of large 

 beads, threaded on elastic cord, and the whole attention of the thief was absorbed in the 

 amusement caused by drawing the bracelet to its full length, and letting it snap. The clatter 

 of the beads seemed to amuse the monkey mightily, and he was so entirely charmed with this 

 novel recreation, that he did not even see the approaching keeper. At the sound of his voice, 

 however, down went beads, away went monkey, and the bracelet was soon in possession of its 

 owner. 



It was a very fortunate circumstance for the monkey that he was deprived of his prize. 

 He would most certainly have pulled the bracelet until the string broke, and the beads fell on 



