Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-10-11
Abyssiniam Monkeys.

The monkeys, especially the cynocephali, who
are astonishingiy clever fellows, have their chiefs,
whom they obey implicitly. and regular system
of tactics in war, pillaging expeditions, robbing
corn fields, Sc. These monkey forays are man
AGED with the utmost regularity and precauton.
A tribe coming down to feed from their village on
the mountain, Casually cleft in the face Of some
cliff brings with it all its members, male and fe
male, old and young. Some, the elders of the
tribe. dstinguishable by the quantity of name
which covers their shoulders, like lions, take
the lead. peering cautiously over each precipice
before they descend, and climbing to the top of
every rock or stone which may afford them bet
ter view of the road before them. Others have
their posts as scouts on the anks OF rear and all
fulfill their duties with the utmost vigilance, cal
ling out at times, apparently to keep order among
the motley pack which forms the main body, or to
give notice of the approach of any real or imag-
ined danger. Their tones of voice on these occa-
sions are 50 distinctly varied, that person much
accustomed TO watch their movements will at
length fancy, and perhaps with some truth, that
he can understand their signals.
The main body is composed offtmale and mex
perienced males, and young people Of the tribe
Those of the females who have small children
carry them on their back. Unlike the dignified
march of the leaders, the rabbe 90 along in most
disorderly manner, lrotting on and chattering,
without taking the least heed ofanything, appar
emily confiding in the vigilance of their scouts
Here few of the youth nger behind to pick the
berries off some tree, but not long, for the rear
guard coming up forces them to regain their pa-
ces. There matron pauses to suckle her OF
spring. and not 10 lose any time, dresses its hair
while it is taking its meal. Another young lady.
probably excited to jealousy, or by some sneerlng
look or word, pulls an ugly mouth at her neigh
bour, and then uttering a shrill sqea, highly ex-
preSsve of rage. vindictively shatches at her RI
va's leg or tail with her hand, and gives her,
perhaps, bite This provokes retort, and
most unladylike quarrel ensues, till loud bark OF
command from one Of the chiefs calls them to or
der. A single cry of alarm makes them all halt,
and remain on the qn rire, till another bark, IN
different tone re- assures them, and they then pro-
ceed on their march. Arrived al the corn field,
the scouts take their positions on the eminences
all around, while the remainder Of the tribe col
lect provisions with the utmost expedition. filling
their cheek pouches as full as they can hold and
then tackng the heads OF corn under their arm
pits. Now, unless there be partition Of the col
| lected spoil how do the scouts feed !-tor have
watched them several times, and never observed
them to quit for moment their post of duty till it
was time for the tribe to return, or till some indl-
cation of danger induced them to take to Hight
They show also the same sagacty in searching
for water. discovering at once The places where 1t
is most readily found in the sand, and then dig
ging for it with their hands, just as men would
relieving one another in the work, If the quantity
of sand to be removed be able.-Parkyn'S
Life Ia .4byssiaia