54 TRAVELS IN 
ing, I endeavoured to beat him at his own 
weapons. For this purpofe I trained one of 
my dogs to run to the neft the moment the 
hen gave notice of having laid, and bring me 
the egg v^ithout breaking it. This was done 
in a few days : but Kees, when the fignal 
was given, ran as well as he to the neft. A 
conteft then arofe, and often it was not thQ 
dog, though the (Ironger of the two, that car- 
ried the day. If tae dog was fuccefsful, he 
ran with joy to bring me his prize, while the 
ape followed growling and threatening with 
his teeth, till I had taken the egg ; when he 
appeared to be confoled for the lofs of his prize, 
by finding that his antagonift did not enjoy it. 
If Kees was the victor, he ran up into a tree, 
and, having fvv allowed the egg, threw the 
fiiell at the dog, as if by way of defiance, 
who returned with a look of fhame that in- 
formed me of his mifadventure. 
Thefe details may appear trifling to many 
who will read my work folely to criticife it ; if 
indeed they do not criticife without reading it : 
but to others, perhaps, they will be more ufeful 
than thofe tirefome defcriptions, thofe end- 
lefs accounts which are frequently given of an^ 
4 infecftj 
