Milford chronicle., 1889-06-28
APES IN GUIANA.
A Close Inspection of Their DoingS-
Watched by Their Enemies.


Watched by Their Enemies.
After traversing the greater part Of the
gorge in French Guiana, we returned to a
small inn at the entrance to an abrupt val
ley down which dashes the turbulent little
rivulet called the RuiSseau des Singes, or
monkeys stream We ordered dinner, and,
while waiting for it, climbed up the steep
slopes to look for some Of the monkeys which
were said to abound in the neighborhood.
Nor had we to walk far before we saw them.
They were there in numbers, but appeared
to be timid and unwilling to be interviewed.
As we approached they sprang from branch
to branch until they reached the thickest
part Of the forest where, no doubt, they
considered themselves safe from intrusion.
My friends, after watching them to their
satisfaction, went Off TO view whatever else
was to be seen in the vicinity | had gone
there, however, armed with an opera glass,
determined, if possible, to make a close in
spection Of the monkeys, so / crept stealthily
to tree. with branches thickly Overhung
with ivy;'Hhere l easily found a place Of
cOncealment There, when ascertained by
careful inspection that | had no snakes for
my companions, l took up my position and
awaited the result.
For some time was unable to get sight Of
any of the objects of my search, although
could see the branches of the trees swaying
violently about in many places, showing that
something was up among them But at last
my patience was rewarded, for a number Of
monkeys, gradually discardiAg their timidity,
returned to the trees from which they had re-
tired upon my approach, giving me the OPP
pOrtunity of closer observation that sought
for. This change in their demeanor was
brought about by the frolics of a thoughtlcss
baby monkey that escaped its mothers
guardianship and sprang about in evident en-
joyment of its forbidden freedom till at last
it rested in a tree close by me, from which
position no parental warnings or blandish-
ments could recall it. In this condition of
affairs maternal affection soon asserted itself
and brought the old one, regardless of danger,
to its erring child The family group ere long
became united onco more, but for some time
the elders watched the tree where l lay hid
den with keen and scrutinizing glances, indi-
eating much distrust. So close was to them
that l could, by the aid of my glass, distin-
guish the glaring sharpness of their eyes At
length they seemed satisfied that no danger
was to be apprehended, and sprang about,
plucking and eating the opening leaf buds
and amusing themselves in different ways.
Then they huddled together on a bough to
rest and sleep a little. There they sat in per-
feet quietness, a happy group-picturesque
and very human in its aspect-one with its
head reclining on another's shoulder and an
arm encirclsag it, while a firm hold was laid
upon the truant youngster, lest, when it
awOke, it should beoff again and at its antics
have spoken Unfortunately of monkeys
in connection with the Gorge of the Chiifa,
fas17
correctly described as apes. The fur of those
saw is beautiful and clean, and they looked
healthy and happy; very different from their
miserable relatives in captivity at the ZOO, or
those, still worse off, that travel our country, |
bound with strap and chain, in company with |
a wheezy barrel organ, and are made to dis
port themselves to its depressing strains in the
mock attire of man.
How changed the scene from that of their |
native African forest 1t was 50 pleasant and |
peaceful when l observed it that was loath !
to disturb the happy family. But remaining |
long in a constrained position, even while |
nature in her home, is not agreea-
bic, and tends to produce cramps and other |
Inconvenience so that was obliged at last |
to move out of my hiding place. For mo
ment the sleeping monkeys were taken by |
surprise, and then they scattered in different |
directions with marvellous agility.
was not the sole observer of the scene.
High up near the mountain top, perched
upon leaaess tree, sat two eagles fungrily
eying the movements of their coveted
prey. fancy, however, that as long
as the latter keep among the woods
and avoid the open ground they must
be comparatively safe from the attacks
Of such, | am aware that the eagle known
by the name of the "harpyn in Brazil lives
chiefly upon monkeys for its food; yet it can
not swoop down at them among the trees, or
it would get killed itself by striking with
force against the branches.
A worse enemy to tho monkeys is the PAN
Their; but even that active animal cannot,
owing to its great weight, reach the branches
where monkey may take refuge, nor does it
often surprise them in positions where they
cannot avail themselves Of this means of es-
Crawford in Popular Science
Monthly.