STRANGE ANIMALS AND THEIR WATS. 36? 



on the subject altogether — not, however, as did Reynard 

 on the grapes, but strategically. She gathered herself up, 

 and looked at the coveted object with speculative eyes. 

 Then she swung herself round again, pulling hard on the 

 tether by the neck. She then curved the tip of the tail so 

 as to make a little hook. Now she grasps the base of the 

 tail with one paw, as with a hand, thus stiffening and 

 steadying the organ. She next slowly and cautiously rolled 

 the egg, by the curved tip of the tail, through a section of 

 a circle, until it was brought within reach of one of the 

 front feet. The egg now seized, sitting on her hind feet 

 like a bear, she cracks it, extracts the contents, and nei- 

 ther spills a drop on the floor, nor so much as soils that 

 wonderful nose ; for among her many gifts is her soft and 

 extensile tongue. 



11. A word is necessary as to the peculiar temerity of 

 this animal. From two points it was liable to give way to 

 extreme impulsiveness — the excitement of opposition, or of 

 inquisitiveness. If anything attacked her, whatever the 

 object or the odds might be, she would face the assailant, 

 and close in with her shrill little squeaks of rage, and in a 

 wild sort of dash. If one slapped her, whatever might be 

 her terror, she would rush upon and snap at the hand. The 

 dog-like sagacity of running under the table or chair was 

 not her way. Hers was the peccary instinct of running 

 upon danger. No monkey could be a more importunate 

 or impertinent teaser than was our coati ; but Jocko shows 

 sagacity with his jokes — for he always adroitly leaps aside 

 of consequences. 



12. I have watched our pet tease the cat with imper- 

 turbable persistency, until Tabbie, unable to tolerate mat- 

 ters any longer, has struck her sharp claws into that soft 

 proboscis, then moved away, leaving her persecutor dazed 

 with astonishment. Then, in a moment, forgetting all, 

 she would turn her attention to the setter-dog, and, despite 



