in captivity in lower bengal. 11 



Observations on their habits. . 



The white- cheeked gibbon is very light and active. At times it 

 will move incessantly from side to side of the cage, or from one perch 

 to another, or tumble on its straw bed and roll head over heels and 

 again bound away to the top of its prison. Like the hoolook, it drinks 

 water by scooping it up with its knuckles or fingers and licking it, 

 or by simply applying the lips to the drinking vessel. Its call is quite 

 distinct from that of a hoolock. In winter it is more noisy in the 

 middle of the day than either in the morning or evening ; excessive heat 

 has the effect of moderating its spirits. When the weather is dull or 

 cold it sits huddled up, either on the floor of the cage or on the ledge of 

 the wall, looking the very picture of misery and depression ; with the 

 return of warm weather it becomes active and playful. Like the orang 

 and the hoolock, it goes to bed early. It can walk a few steps as well 

 as, or better than, a hoolock— that is, without much waddling. The 

 habit of thrusting out its long slender arms in demonstration of its 

 sociable and affectionate nature has not been much noticed in this 

 species. 



Of the habits in captivity of the other gibbons mentioned above 

 very little is known. Most of them are as active and light as a hoolock 

 or a white-cheeked gibbon; the siamang that lived in the garden 

 appeared to be dull and morose. 



For further particulars on the distribution and habits of gibbons, 

 the following books may be consulted :— Anatomical and Zoological 

 Researches — Anderson ; Malay Archipelago — Wallace ; Anthropoid 

 Apes — Hartmann. 



(8) THE HANUMAN. 



(SEMNOPITHECUS ENTELLTIS— {Dafresne.) ) 



Hindi — Langur, Mahdbir. Bengali — Hanuman, Hanu. 



Description. — The hanuman is a well-known monkey in Lower 

 Bengal : it is slender and elongated in form ; the head and body are 

 about 2 feet long and the tail is slightly over 3 feet ; there is no crest 

 on the crown of the head ; hair of the eyebrows stiff and projecting ; 

 colour of the head, body, limbs and tail varies from greyish brown to 

 pale isabelline throughout ; hands and feet black; face, ears and soles 

 of hand and feet also black. 



Hab. — South- Western Bengal, Orissa, the Central Provinces, Bom- 

 bay, Ouzerat, Southern Rajputana and part of the North- Western 

 Provinces, extending to Kattywar, and probably Cutch. They are not 

 indigenous east of the river Hooghly, although stragglers are often 

 found. 



Length of life in captivity. 



The maximum period during which a hanuman has lived in this 

 garden has been six years Although indigenous to the country, and 

 living in a wild state within ten or twelve miles of Calcutta, these 

 animals do not bear captivity well. 



