Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-13
APES IN GUIANA.
A Close Inspection of Their Doines.
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
We're 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 tinlid 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. I 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, where l easily found a place of
concealment. There when l ascertained by
careful inspection that / had no snakes for
my companions, 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 l
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 discarding 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 thoughtless
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 once more, but for some time
the elders watched the tree where / lay hid
den with keen and scrutinizing glances, indi-
eating much distrust So close was to them
that I 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 bough to
rest and sleep little. There they sat in per-
feet quietness, a happy group-picturesque
and very human in its aspect-one with its
mead reclining on another's shoulder and an
arm encircling it, while a firm hold was laid
upon the truant youngster, lest, when it
awoke, it should be off again and at its antics
ipj ofolxy If
In connection with the Gorge of the Chiffa
bua they possess no tails, and would be more
correctly described as apes. The fur of those
l 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
pert themselves to its depressing strains in the
mock attire of a man.
How changed the scene from that of their
native African forest. It was so pleasant and
peaceful when l observed it that l was loath
to disturb the happy family. But remaining
long in a constrained position, even while
studying nature in her home, is not agreea-
bic, and tends to produce cramps and other
Inconvenience, so that 1 was obliged at last
to move out of my hiding place, For a mo-
nlent the sleeping monkeys were taken by
surprise, and then they scattered in different
directions with marvellous agility.
I was not the sole observer of the scene
High up near the mountain top, perched
upon a leahess tree, sat two eagles hungrly
eying the movements of their coveted
prey. I 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. l am aware that the eagle known
by the name of the ''harpy" 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 the 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-
cape-Robert Crawford in Popular Science
Monthly.