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Show 218 MR. E. BARTLETT ON PERUVIAN MONKEYS. [Feb. 21, These Monkeys appear to go in small parties, passing through the forest at a rapid pace, feeding on different kinds of berries. _ The berries I found in the mouth and stomach of the male were similar to the gooseberry in external appearance ; they have, however, a large stone inside. These stones appear to pass through them, as I found several in the intestines. On my return to the town I found an Indian who had arrived from Cauhapanas, a small town lying at the foot of the mountains in the Maranon valley, north-west of the town of Chyavitos, who had in his possession a very fine young Spider Monkey, which proved to be of this species. It was nearly black, but just showing the light golden hair coming on the underside of the body and tail, some few white hairs on the cheeks, and slight golden crest, sufficient to identify the species. I bought it of the Indian, and managed to bring it alive to Yurimaguas, where it died. On my arrival I was informed by some of m y old Indians that they discovered this Monkey during m y absence on the Upper Huallaga (on the south-eastern shores). One of the Indians said that he brought three young ones alive, which died soon after his arrival in the town. I here give an idea of the great range this Monkey inhabits, owing to the ease with which a beast that can use his long arms and tail may travel a country of this description. It is found on both sides of the Peruvian Amazon (or Maranon), on both shores of the Huallaga, and in the interior forest near the town of Chamicuros. I was told by some of the oldest Indians that these animals are common in the dense forest on the hills near the latter town, their range running between the Huallaga river and Ucayali river to the head-waters of the Huallaga, between the towns of Lamas and Sarayacu. Here they occupy the interior forest, and appear to be common, according to accounts given me by Indians of that country -as also on the lower spurs of the mountains between the town of Moyabamba ami the Huallaga river. Then, again, on the Rio Tigri, north-western shores of the Great Maranon, there is not the slightest doubt that this species is to be found ranging along the lower spurs of the Andes, across Ecuador and Columbia, over the head-waters of the Rio Napo, Rio Japura, and Rio Negro, where Natterer first discovered it. 2. ATELES ATER. Black-faced Spider Monkey. The Black-faced Spider Monkey inhabits the forests on the Ucayali, Chamicuros on the Huallaga river, and is found over the whole of the valley of the Amazons, generally keeping to the low districts. I shot an adult male at Chamicuros which had the inner part of the thighs and belly very grey or grizzled. This is the only species of Ateles obtained in large numbers by the Indians, who frequently keep them as pets. These Monkeys travel in bodies of perhaps thirty or forty together. This and A. variegatus are, so far as I know, the only Spider Monkeys which are found in the district which I explored. |