The Portland daily press., 1891-02-25
irving w. Pike.
THE LUCK OF cAATTERINc CAMP.
Changed Conditions In the Monkey
Cage since the Coming OF an Anthro-
poid Infant.
From the PhlladelpbIa IponIrer

ltrom the philadelphia Inqulrer.l
There was an excited time among the mon
keys at the Geological Garden yesterday
Since the birth OF the cunning little one sew
eral days ago great CONSERVATION has pre-
vailed In the evolutionary family II seems
to be not only the idol Of its fond parents.
but also the joy and pride OF the entire group
Different ones shared in fondling and cod
ding 1t, and the quarrels and knock downs
which have occurred in the efforts Of the
other monkeys to get possession Of 1t have
produced some remarkably ludIcrous scenes.
One Of these funny incidents took place
early yesterday. frightening one Of the night
watchmen half out Of his wits. just as he
was about rounding the garden on the last
patrol his beat Watchman Shuman had
his attention directed to the monkey house
by a terrific commotion. So great and un
usual was the uproar that the man was
startled. Nearly every morning the mon
keys welcome the day with a general clat-
ter, but this time the noise was appalling.
All sorts Of sounds such as only monkeys
with good lungs can produce, mingled with
shrill shrieks, piercing yells, and loud
screams, were Issuing from the quarters,
giving the watchman the impression that
some small animal OF prey had got into
their cage and was slaughtering the monkeys
or else deadly battle among themselves,
such as has occurred several times, was In
progress. Fastening In as fast as his feet
could carry him, he found the army Of mon
Keys formed In circle around one Of their,
number, chattering and shrieking, while
they clambered over one another, rolled
about the floor, and INDUCED In other strange
and unaec1untaole antics. II Bedlam had
oeen turned loose In the big cage. the con-
fusion ceuld not have been more, the uproar
or the scene more ludicrOus.
For several moments the watchman stood
an amused spectator, astonished and bewlld-
cred at the strange performance, when sud
enc OF the larger OF the cunning creatures
advanced to the monkey, in the centre. Seiz.
Ing the infant, which up TO this time was IN.
observed by the man. the large monkey gave
Dig leap and made OF with it. Up the side
OF the cage he ran like a squirrel holding
other, while fifty more monkeys, with lungs
like brass tea kettles, followed In hot pur-
suit with the frenZled mother, all screaming,
chattering, and shrieking to the full extent
OF their vocal capacity. Around and around
the kidnapper, who seemed to be the most
agile and heetest OF foot OF the lot, ran, hold
ing his infant charge secure TO protect IL from
harm. Meanwhile the excitement and con-
fusion appeared. II possible, to increase. In
stead Of turning and heading him of, the
the rear frequently falling over one another
In their precipitate rush to recover the baby
In this manner they ran around for sever
al moments. The watchman, bewildered as
well as amused at their capers, stood by, en-
Joying the funny scene, at loss to know
what to do. Finally the big, old monkey
which had stolen the precious infant. sud-
denly turned into the centre Of the cage TO
where the mother sat when he grabbed 1t
from her arms. Stopping abruptly, he
QQamad IN hid dafanaa n tha and
while they evidently seized with fear to ap-
pr0ach, collected about him In circle and
chartered as they had done about the moth
er, he held II tenderly TO his bosom In one
arm and stroked lts little body affectionately
with the other. Thus caresstng 1t for mo-
ment, he handed 1t back to its glad mother,
and there was joy throughout the whole
family.
As a result of this Incident Lady Jane and
her baby, Rosina, were transferred later IN
the day by Head Keeper Byrne to a special
cage. where there were only three or four
other monkeys. The baby was ehrlstened
Rosina BY an admirer OF Rosina Nokes, the
dramatic star.
Ever since this young One was born. a
few days ago, there had been the greatest
time among the monkeys. said Keeper Byrne.
They all seem to be just as thoroughly In
love with the little creature as ever family
OF girls were with an infant brother. The
mother appears to realize that they regard It
|
cultivate this affectionate feeling by lOaning
ii out to others to nurse In consequence 1t
has been handled about from one TO the
other until In the general admiration its
stomach has been forgotten anu II has not
been receiving n0urishment frequently
enough. This Is not Intentional neglect on
the part Of the mother. When she loans II
there is trouble In getting 1t back, because
they pass 1t from one TO another. IL Is very
| hardy little creature, and seems TO Stand an
| amazing amount OF handling. The others
| caper with 1t very gently, however. and un-
1 derstand as well as its mother that II requires
| tender treatment. Since have moved the
| mother and 1t into another cage, where there
| are only few others, II will not be neglect
| ed, for there are not so many to e0ddle IT,"
The little one which has created so much
| commotion in the monkey family weighs
| only about pound. Its limbs, body, and
| bead are perfectly developed, and In general
/ appearance 1t Is also counterpart OF Us
| parent, except 1t Is in color dark pink; It.
diminutive body Is covered with sIgnt
growth Of fine hair Of a yellowish nue.: ~ ~ y
| nursed at the breast OF ltS lhotheE ai'ei ''e
1 same manner as baby.