Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park (September 1915): Thirteenth EditionHornaday, William T. (William Temple)
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Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park (September 1915): Thirteenth Edition
Hornaday, William T. (William Temple)
New York Zoological Park
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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