Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-21

Changed Copditions in the MONKEY Cage
Since the Coming Of an Anthropoid Infant.
From the Philadelphia Inquir~r.
There was exciting time among the mon
keys at the Geological Garden yesterday. Since
the birth Of the cunning little one several DAYS
ago great CONSERVATION has prevailed in the
evolutionary family. II seems 10 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 coddling ID, and the
quarrels and knock downs which have occurred
In the efforts Of the other monkeys TO get pos
session Of it 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 ss he was
about rounding the garden on the last patrol
OF his beat Waterman Shuman had his atten-
ton directed 10 the monkey house by o terrific
roar that the man was startled. Nearly every
morning the monkeys welcome the day with q
general clatter. but this time the noise was APP
palling. All sorts Of sounds such a. only mon
keys with good lungs can produce, mingled
with shrill shrieks, piercing yells and loud
screams, were issuing from the quarters, giving
the Waterman the impression that some small
animal Of prey had got into their cage and
was siaughtering the monkeys, or else deadly
battle among themselves, such n has occurred
several times, was in progress. Fastening
in as fast as his feet could carry him. he found
the army of monkeys formed in a circle
around one Of their number, chattering aud
shrieking, while they clambered over one an
other, rolled about the floor and INDUCED in
other strange and unaccountable antics. IL
Bediam had been turned loose in the big cage
the confusion could not have been more, the
uproar or the scene more ludicrous.
For several moments the watchman stood An
amused spectator, astonished and bewildered
at the strange performance, when suddenly one
OF the larger Of the cunning creatures advanced
70 the monkey In the center. Seizing the in
fant. which up to this time was unobserved by
the man, the large monkey gave big leap and
made of with IL. Up the side Of the cage he
ran hike squirrel, holding the baby in one arm
and climbing with the other, while fifty more
monkeys. with lungs like brass tea kettles, fol-
lowed In hot pursuit with the frenzied mother,
GIL screaming, chattering ana 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,
holding his infant charge secure TO protect it
from harm. Meanwhile the excitement and
confusion appeared, if possible. to increase.
Instead Of turning and heading him OF, the
foolish animals continued to chase him from
the rear, frequently falling over one another in
their precipirate rush to recover the baby.
moments. The watchman, bewildered as well
as amused ut their capers, stood by, enjoying
the funny scene. at a loss to know what to do.
Finally the big old monkey, which had stolen
the precious infant, suddenly turned into the
center of the cage to where the mother sat
when be grabbed il from her arms. Stopping
abruptly, he seemed to bid defiance TO the
pursuers, and while they, evidently seized with
a fear TO approach. collected about him IN q
circle and chsttered as they had done about
the mother. he held it tenderly TO his bosom in
one arm and stroked its little body affection
ately with the other. Thus caressing ii for a
moment, he handed it back to its glad mother,
and there was JOY throughout the whole family.
As 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 are only three or four other mon
keys. The baby was christened Rosina by an
admirer OF Rosina Nokes, the dramatic star.
Ever SINCE this young one was born. a few
days ago, there has been the greatest time
among the monkeys" said Keeper Byrne.
They all seem to be just as thoroughly IN
love with the little creature ever family of
girls were with an infant brother. The mother
appears to realize that they regard it with
affection, and she has undertaken to cul-
tivate this affectionate feeling by loaning
II out to others to nurse. In conse-
quence it has been handed about from
one to the other until in the general sdmira-
ton its stomach has been forgotten and 1t has
not been receiving nourishment frequently
enough. This Is not Intentional neglect ON
the part of the mother. When she loans il
there is trouble in getting it back, because they
pass it from one to another. 1t is a very hardy
little creature, and seems to stand an amazing
amount of handling. The others caper with il
very gently. however, and understand as well
as IT'S mother that it requires tender treat
ment. Since 1 have moved the mother and IL
into another cage where there are only a few
others, it will not be neglected, for there are
not SO many to coddle it."
The little one which has created so much
about pound. Its limbs. body and head are
perfectly developed, and in general appearance
1t is also a counterpart Of It's parent, except it
is in color q DARK pink. Its diminutive body
is covered with a slight growth of fine hair of o
yeilowish hue. 1t is nursed at the breast Of It's
mother after the same manner as q baby,