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Bonnet Monkeys
HOEVER invented the term when anyone for whom she entertains an "chattering ape" must have affection is teased or threatened. Monhad in his "mind's eye" the keys will defend their master when attitude and appearance of attacked by anyone, as well as dogs to a displeased Bonnet Monkey. The one whom they are attached from the attacks chief mode this ape possesses of express- of other dogs. Jenny, possessing a fonding its displeasure is to chatter; and even ness for myself, will scream with rage, when engaged in some such diversion as will chatter and shake the bars of the that of scratching its owner's hand, the cage, and exhibit the utmost concern Bonnet will chatter still, and make gri- if anyone and even a person to whom maces, which, together with the widely- she is attached-feigns the act of strik opened eyes and the frowning brows, ing me. give it a singular look. The extremely Another eminently human quality, that human appearance of this monkey is due of "wonder" and "curiosity," animates not merely to the peculiar disposition of the Bonnet Monkey in a high degree. its hair, but to the freedom of the face When Jenny is shown any object to which from a hairy covering, and the naked ears she is unaccustomed, she will occasionally. it possesses. The hair itself is of a light fly from it as if afraid; but, growing brown color, that of the head inclining to bolder, will approach and examine it with a dark brown, or well-nigh to a black tint. great care, turning it over and over, if In a playful mood, no ape can be more possible, as if to determine its nature. entertaining than the Bonnet Monkey. Any bright article of jewelry to which Says a writer on the monkey tribes: The she is unaccustomed on the persons of antics played by "Jenny," the smaller of those whom she daily sees, is at once the two Bonnet Monkeys in my posses- noticed, and, if possible, handled and sion, are well-nigh of endless character. examined. Should a monkey, which has Furnished with a cloth or duster, this been let loose from my cage, be pursued monkey imitates exactly the antics of a through the apartment by way of being child in covering its head with the cloth, caught, the denizens of the cage will exhibit and in peeping out from beneath the edges the greatest rage and indignation at what to ascertain if she is being watched. Then may be even the gentlest treatment of once more concealing herself beneath its the runaway. folds, she will scamper off until she trips Monkeys in general have an intense herself and falls, only to disentangle her- dislike to seeing a neighbor chased or self and resume her antics once again. beaten. I have seen Jenny lie down on One of the most surprising and inter- her belly on the floor of her cage, as a esting traits in the Bonnet Monkey of man might fling himself to the ground in which I write is that of apparent rage a fit of rage, on my chastising a Capuchin (19) Monkey for some act of indiscretion or of her cage, and expressed her grief at mischief. I witnessed on one occasion the separation in a very audible manner. unmistakable proof of what one can only In the morning, the partner of her joys call loving affection in a young Hama- and sorrows had sufficiently recovered dryas, or Sacred Baboon. A pair of these himself, and he was accordingly transanimals was confined in a small cage, ferred to the cage once again. The from which the male was removed on moment he entered his abode, Mrs. Hamaaccount of illness. That the patient dryas seized him round the neck in an might have rest during the night, I placed embrace, and continued to stroke his face him in a basket in front of the fire. The with her hands in a manner suggestive removal of her partner gave great offence of nothing else but affection and joy at to Mrs. Hamadryas, who shook the bars his return.
