Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-02-11
MON KEYS UTILIZE A RAT.
They Beguike Him With Caresses and Then
Then Use Him as a Cushion

They BeguiIe Him With Caresses and Then
Then Use Him as a Cushion
There are now four monkeys at Lincoln
park. They are in possession of a strange
play-fellow, whom they are utilizing as
only monkeys ingenuity can suggest
Adjoining their cage stands another con-
tanning large number of white rats. For
many months the pink-eyed rodents have
excited great deal of inquisitive.
ness on the part Of their four neighbors.
The N onkeys have spent The greater por-
ton of their time pearing at the rats, and
the latter have exhibited similar interest
In the monkeys. A week ago the keeper
transferred the largest white rat in the
cage to the monkeys den, TO see what
would be the effect Of the nearer compan-
ionship.
When the rat made its advent into the
monkeys cage the cunning animals
screamed with delight, but none OF them
made the slightest effort to harm the Wis
itor. On the contrary, they showed a
marked willingness to share their food
with the new conner, and the rat was al
lowed to remain.
With reluctance born of distrust, the
monkeys hesitated for a long time before
cultivating a closer friendship. Finally,
one afternoon, while the rat was fast
asleep beneath the trapeze, which is sus-
pended from the middle of the cage, the
most inquisitive monkey IN the cage eau
tiously lowered himself from it by his tail
A little black paw was extended and five
tawny fingers hesitatingly stroked the rats
soft fur. 1t seemed to answer its expecta-
ton, and in a few momenos fast friend
oh 1,l Inc oo1 4lo-A lor
mony among all concerned.
One after the other the monkeys fondled
the rat in their arms and stroked its fur.
They would climb with it to the highest
perch of their cage, but not once did they
drop it or show the least inclination to
harm their pet. Monkeys and rat ate from
the same dish, and frequently sedate old
fellow would interrupt his own meal to
give a choice morsel TO his little white
co npanion or to stroke his back, as the
monkey family gathered together around
the dish.
This state of affairs continued for sew
eral days, until in an unfortunate moment
for the rat, at least new use was
found for it. Monkeys, like human beings,
delight in comfort The monkey cage is
not fitted up with cushioned seats, and the
occupants seemed to long for life of ease.
After much apparent thinking and scratch
ing of ears, one old monkey decided to
utilize the rat for cushion. He gently
placed the rat on the floor of the cage and
sat on it. The rat did not move-in fact,
he seemed to enjoy the new use to which
he had been placed-and the Intelligent
monkey chatted with delight. The rest
tried it, and they were equally pleased.
From that day until now the white rat
has served as a seat for the monkeys, who
becomes almost frantic when an attempt
is made to remove their luxury. They
have continued to be as kind and gentle
with their pet as ever and, since the rat
seems to be none the worse for the peculiar
use to which he has been put, lie has been
allowed to remain.
Visitors at the Zoo spend much time
watching the queer proceedings, and at
almost any time the patient rat is seen
scratching his ear or picking his teeth IN
sagacious monkey meditation. Chicago
Tribune.