Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park 14
II. Old World Monkeys and Baboons.
Mona Monkey _Cercopithecus mona_ “ Africa.
White-Collared Mangabey _Cercocebus collaris_ “ “
Magot: Barbary “Ape” _Macacus inuus_ “ N. Africa.
Japanese Red-Faced Monkey _ “ fuscatus_ “ Japan.
Pig-Tailed Monkey _ “ nemestrinus_ “ E. India.
Rhesus Monkey _ “ rhesus_ “ India.
Entellus Monkey _ “ entellus_ “ “
Black “Ape” _Cynopithecus niger_ “ Celebes.
Golden Baboon _Papio babuin_ “ N. Africa.
Hamadryas _ “ hamadryas_ “ Arabia.
Mandrill _ “ mormon_ “ W. Africa.
Gelada _Theropithecus gelada_ “ Abyssinia.
III. New World Monkeys.
White-Throated Sapajou _Cebus hypoleucus_ “ S. America.
Red-Faced Spider Monkey _Ateles paniscus_ “ “ “
White-Headed Saki _Pithecia leucocephala_ “ “ “
Yarkee: Short-Tailed Monkey _Brachyurus calva_ “ “ “
Squirrel Monkey _Chrysothrix sciurea_ “ “ “
Common Marmoset _Hapale jacchus_ “ “ “
Douroucoli _Nyctipithecus trivirgatus_ “ “ “
IV. Lemurs and Lemuroids.
Ring-Tailed Lemur _Lemur catta_ “ Madagascar.
Indri _Indri brevicaudata_ “ India.
Galago _Galago galago_ “ Madagascar.
Slow Lemur _Nycticebus tardigradus_ “ Madagascar.
Aye-Aye _Cheiromys “ India.
madagascariensis_
[Illustration: CHIMPANZEE BALDY.]
Nearly all the above-named species are now living in the Primate House,
besides which there are many others. So far as the available supply of
captive primates will permit, these typical species will constantly be
kept on exhibition, together with many others equally interesting. In
this small volume it is possible to notice only the most important
forms.
The Gorilla, (_Gorilla savagei_), of equatorial West Africa, is the
largest and ugliest of the great apes, walks erect, and in form of body
and limbs, it most resembles man. Its brain, however, is less man-like
than that of the chimpanzee and orang-utan. It is very rarely seen in
captivity. The only specimen which up to 1911 had reached America alive
lived but five days after its arrival. Despite the fact that these
creatures seldom live in captivity longer than a few months, they are
always being sought by zoological gardens. The agents of the New York
Zoological Society are constantly on the watch for an opportunity to
procure and send hither a good specimen of this wonderful creature; and
whenever one arrives, all persons interested are advised to see it
_immediately_,—before it dies of sullenness, lack of exercise, and
indigestion.
The Orang-Utan is intellectually superior to the gorilla, and is
equalled only by the chimpanzee. Unfortunately, as a rule, none of the
great apes are long-lived in captivity, and in zoological gardens they
come and go. For this reason, it is seldom that an adult specimen, 4
feet in height, and weighing 150 pounds, is seen in captivity. Among
other apes, the Orang-Utan is readily recognized by its _brown skin, red
hair and small ears_.
In disposition this creature is naturally docile and affectionate. It is
fond of the society of human beings, takes to training with wonderful
readiness and success, and young specimens can easily be taught to wear
clothes, sit at table, and eat with spoon and fork. In the summer of
1911, the daily open-air exhibition of _nine_ apes dining at 4 o’clock
on an elevated platform in the large outside cage at the Primate House,
will long be remembered by the crowds of visitors who saw it. Such
exhibitions are entirely germane to the educational purposes of a
zoological garden or park, for they illustrate the mentality of animals
and their wonderful likeness to man, far more forcibly than the best
printed statements.
The north hall of the Primate House is specially intended for the
anthropoid apes, and it is not likely that any lengthy periods will
elapse during which it contains neither orang-utans nor chimpanzees.
[Illustration: ORANG-UTAN.]
The Chimpanzee, (_Anthropopithecus calvus_), of equatorial Africa from
the west coast to the central lake region, is quite as common in
captivity as the orang-utan. Both structurally and mentally this animal
is very much like the orang-utan, and for keenness of intellect and
susceptibility to training, it is second to none of the animals lower
than man. A Chimpanzee is easily recognized by its _black hair and large
ears_. There are two or three species.
The Gibbon shows off to poor advantage in a cage, but in the tree-tops
it is a wonderful creature. It is like a long-armed skeleton clothed
with skin and hair, animated by the spirit of an Ariel. In its home in
the jungles of Borneo and southeastern Asia, it dwells in hilly forests,
and never descends to the earth. When attacked, it flees down-hill, if
possible, and it seems actually to fly through the tree-tops. It boldly
flings itself forward through space, grasps with its hands the first
available branch, swings underneath, feet foremost, and after another
flight presently catches with its feet, thus actually making revolutions
as it goes. Its progress is so swift and so silent that successful
pursuit is impossible to any enemy not provided with wings.
This animal is naturally very timid, but does not hesitate to expose
itself to mortal danger when its young are in distress. In captivity
gibbons are shy and nervous, and take life very seriously.
[Illustration: HUMBOLDT WOOLLY MONKEY.]
Old-World Monkeys.
The Baboons have been specially designed by Nature for life upon the
ground, surrounded by dangerous enemies. But for their big canine teeth,
their fierce tempers and bull-dog courage, backed by a fine combination
of strength and agility, the lions, leopards, hyenas and jackals of
Africa would have exterminated them all, ages ago. They were not formed
to become hand-organ beasts of burden, nor even companions to man, but
rather to fight off their enemies, and bluff even the king of beasts
when occasion requires. In captivity, their strength and ferocity always
inspires respect, and sometimes genuine terror. At all times they
require to be treated as dangerous animals.
Of the various species of baboons on exhibition in the Primate House,
the full-grown Mandrill is the most interesting, and wonderful. It seems
like an animal not of this earth, and reminds the visitor of one of the
great beasts of the visions of St. John the Divine. The home of this
species is in West Africa, and it is found from Senegambia to the Congo.
The long shaggy hair, lion-like appearance, the peculiar color markings
of the face, and the indescribable grimaces, instantly fix the attention
of every visitor.
The Hamadryas Baboon, with long side whiskers and cape of long hair, is
one of the handsomest animals of this group. Its explosive, ear-racking
cry is almost as startling to visitors as a cannon-shot.
The Golden Baboon has the liveliest disposition and the best temper
possessed by any baboon. Young specimens are full of good-natured
mischief, and are much given to hectoring their cage-mates. The
Long-Armed Yellow Baboon is quite at home in the Primate House, and has
bred here. It is a good species to keep in captivity.
The Group of Old World Monkeys, in addition to the baboons, contains
several species worthy of special remark. There are some which have
tails so very short and insignificant that they seem to be tailless, and
several of them are called “apes.” _They are not true anthropoids_
(manlike apes), however, and it is a confusing error to designate any of
them as “apes.” The species referred to are the following:
The Black “Ape,” of Celebes, exceedingly like a true baboon.
The Magot, or Barbary “Ape,” of North Africa and Gibraltar, which is a
true macaque.
The Japanese Red-Faced Monkey, another macaque, with a brilliant red
face, and long, thick coat of hair, which enables it to live out of
doors all winter, even in this Zoological Park.
The Pig-Tailed Monkey, several species of which are found in Burma and
other portions of southeastern Asia.
All the above are on exhibition in the Primate House, and the outdoor
cages.
The Rhesus Monkey, of India, is one of the sacred species, and ages of
immunity from molestation, or even wholesome discipline, have made this
animal aggressive and domineering in temper.
The Bonneted Macaque is the best-tempered monkey of all the monkey
species found in the East Indies, and it is by far the best to keep as a
pet.
The Entellus Monkey, of India, is also a sacred species, and its natural
seriousness of manner, and dignified bearing, quite befit the direct
descendants of the original Hunuman, or monkey deity of the Hindoos, who
helped to build Adam’s Bridge.
Of the many African monkeys, some of the most showy (such as the Guerzas
and Colobos) are so difficult to procure they can not be set forth as
permanent residents in the Primate House. The following species,
however, may be classed with the reliables:
The White-Collared Mangabey and Sooty Mangabey are both so lively, so
good-natured, and so free from the fighting habit, they are prime
favorites with everybody.
The Mona Monkey is handsome and easily kept, and an excellent
representative of the great African genus _Cercopithecus_.
The Green Monkey and the Vervet are lively but quarrelsome, and at times
become dangerous. The Patas, or Red Monkey, is very sedate, and makes a
good cage-mate for the mona.
The New World Monkeys, even at their best, never make a strong showing
in a vivarium. The trouble is that many of the most interesting species
are so delicate it is impossible to keep them alive in captivity. Fame
awaits the man who can discover a bill of fare on which Howling Monkeys,
Sakis and Yarkees can live in captivity to old age, and repay their cost
and care. Their digestive organs are delicate, and are subject to
derangement from causes so slight they can not be reckoned with.
The Sapajous are the hardiest, the most intelligent and in some respects
the most interesting of the New World monkeys. They all possess the
prehensile (or grasping) tail, _which is not found on any Old World
monkey_, and the use made of it is a constant source of wonder. Monkeys
of this species are quite common in captivity, and their wrinkled brows
and serious countenances give them an appearance of being burdened with
cares,—which most captive monkeys certainly are! These are the
unfortunate creatures which so often come to grief on hand-organs.
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