OTHER GORILLAS 253 



One day as I sat alone a young gorilla, perhaps five 

 years old, came within six or seven yards of the cage and 

 took a peep. I do not know whether or not he was aware 

 of its being there until he was so near. He stood for a 

 time, almost erect, with one hand holding on to a bough. 

 His lower lip was relaxed, showing the red line mentioned 

 elsewhere, and the end of his tongue could be seen be- 

 tween his parted lips. He did not evince either fear or 

 anger, but rather appeared to be amazed. I heard him 

 creeping through the bush a few seconds before I saw 

 him. As a rule, they move so stealthily as not to be 

 heard. I know of no other animal of equal size that makes 

 so little noise in going through the forest. During the 

 short time he stood gazing at me I sat still as a statue, 

 and I think he was in doubt as to whether or not I was 

 alive. He did not run away, but after a brief pause 

 turned off at an angle and quietly departed. He lost no 

 time, but made no great haste. The only sound he made 

 was a low grunt, and this he did not repeat. 



At another time I heard two making a noise among the 

 plantains near me. I could obtain only a glimpse of them, 

 but as well as I could see they were of good size, being 

 almost grown. They were making a low sound from time 

 to time, something such as I have described ; but I could 

 not see them well enough to frame any opinion as to what 

 it meant. They were certainly not quarreling, and I was 

 not sure that they were eating. I afterwards went and 

 looked to see if I could find where they had broken any 

 of the stalks. Their trail was visible through the grass 

 and weeds, but I could find no broken stalk. They were 



