OEDEE OP aUADEUMANA. 



565 



nocturnal. They only leave their retreats in the morning and 

 evening, spending the remainder of the time in sleep. They live 

 on fruits and insects, and are very partial to honey, which makes 

 them anxiously search for the hives of wild bees. The Sapajous, 

 who are aware of this weakness, follow them at a distance, looking 

 out for an opportunity to rob them of their booty. As soon as the 

 Sakis sit down to eat the honey they have discovered, the Sapajous, 

 profiting by their physical superiority, spring upon them, and put 

 them to flight ; after which they enjoy the booty which they have 

 obtained at so little expense. With these animals, as with man- 

 kind, there are always those who take the chestnuts from the fire 

 for the benefit of others. 



Fig. 350. — Satanic Bearded Salti {Brackyurus satamis). 



The Sakis are generally gentle, but excessively timid, and for 

 this reason are diificult to tame, though they are not destitute 

 of intelligence. They manifest great solicitude for their young, 

 and both male and female carefuUy occupy themselves in rearing 

 them. But after a certain time they chase them away, and compel 

 them to provide for themselves. Two well-defined groups are 

 distinguished among the Sakis : the first contains the species in 

 which the tail is nearly as long as the body, and constitutes the 

 division of true Sakis ; the second is composed of the very short- 

 tailed species, and which, for this reason, are designated by the 



