Frank Buckland's Surviving Monkey.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 11 September 1886, Page 4

Frank Buckland's Surviving Monkey.

Moxkeys are gr<xdy mnivorous feeders — nr. Ipast, tho Albany street onos were. Thieves by nature, too, thoy rtsorb to all 8 irts of queer devices to pilfer food, [rdee 1, they appear to enjoy food much moro ■when it ii thioved than whan it v given to them. A curious instance of this occurred quite lately with Tiny. Sho wad not well, and rtfusod the most t6mpinsj food that was placed in her cage, Her mistress, well up in the w»y3 of monkeys, struck upon a clovor device, which proved most successful. She placod the food outside tho rage, a 9 though it was intended for tho parrot. When no one was looking, Tiny Btretched her claw out, drew the food into tho cngo, and devoured it with apparent relish. For many dayß this was the only way aho could be iuducod to take anything. As to tho things monkeys will oat, the queation ia, What they will not eat ? 1 have seen thorn feeding on the paste kept for fixing newepar.or cuttings in a bjok. They are very partial to gum, and at times may be aeon munching tho coals stolon from the firegrate. In face, I boliovo, like the elephant, tho moukoy's stomach ia such that it can accommodate itself to anything. Ifc was amusing to watch tho monkeys whon they were let loose, and whon the master was taking his breakfast or lunch. They watched from eouio point of vantago, and if ho turned away from tbo table for a moment, or oven looked away, down they would jump, eoize what thoy considered tho moat temptiug bits, tumbling over the wine, milk, &c, and then make off to tho top of tho bookcase where no one could get at them, and whero they could enjoy thoir food in comfort. The poor master has often eaid to me when visiting him in the mornings, " I havo had no breakfast;' and when I ask li im "Why not?" he would answer with a morry laugh, "The monkeys took it all," Tiny, lam sorry to say, iB now ehowing signs of increasing age Sho s not tho merry, mi.-chic' ou -, lictle monkey ahe was souio yeara eg" ; !io<vev<r, the iv in tbo be.?t of hand 3, and every comfort will bo provided for her in her declining days. She \va3 lately presented by a kind friend and admirer with a pretty washingcup and basin, and a large packet of sweetp, of which she is very fond.—Henry Ffennell, in "Le'sure Hour." •