protuberant; the feet long, with the largest toe peculiarly short, but exhibiting a perfect nail: these were the striking peculiarities on the first sight of the female; while the Chimpanzee (Simia Troglodytes) exhibited a marked contrast in the general character of its form, presenting a much nearer approach to that of the human race. Its conformation comprises all those points of resemblance which characterise the orang-utan, besides other instances of approximation which in that animal are not observable. The form of the head, the intellectual superiority that distinguishes the cast of the features; the proportionate length of arm to that of the body; the larger and perfect thumb; the roundness of the thigh; the perfect feet, and the consequent upright mode of walking; the complete formation of the last joint of the great toe; the quality of the sounds which it occasionally utters; - all these are points which at once strike the observer, denoting the superiority of the Chimpanzee over the Borneo orang-utan, as well as the widely different characters that distinguish

them.

I must here confess myself unable to give you a scientific description of the animal: it is simply my intention to detail some of those peculiarities and habits, which few but myself have had an opportunity of observing.

On the occasion of their introduction to each other, it was curious to notice in what way they would act; not having seen any of their class for many months, and being so distinct in character, and natives of different quarters of the globe. On their being placed on the floor together in a private apartment, they stood at some distance from each other, resting on their knuckles, in evident contemplation of the new form they now saw for the first time. They then approached nearer, smelling each other very sensibly; the female protruded her prominent lower lip, touching the lip of the male, but without any smack or noise. This was done apparently without any expression of joy or mutual attachment, but merely as an act of recognition of two of the same trite meeting in a foreign land; nor was I ever afterwards able to discover the least sign of tenderness or attachment to cach other; but, on the contrary, a decided inclination to keep aloof, especially on the part of the female, whose timidity allowed the male to take from her hands any dainty that might have been given to her, with great reluctance on her part, but with evident fear of repelling the insult. On the experiment being tried of forcing them to sleep in the same cige, a battle took place, of which it was not afterwards deemed advisable to risk a repetition.

The companionable and sociable habits of the Chimpanzee far exceeded those of the female, as did his knowledge of persons whom he was in the habit of seeing. On first approaching him on a morning, or after being absent from him a short time, he would utter a loud cry of recognition; and, running towards you, would stand perfectly erect, spreading his arms to be taken up, when he would put them round your neck in the manner of the fondest embrace; nor was it an easy task, for those to whom he was attached, to leave the room, except by stealth. Food, on the other hand, was the only object that would cause any attachment, or even locomotion, in the female; of whom it might be said, that her appetite was the mainspring of all her actions, to which a protuberance and rotundity bore ample testimony. In feeding, the greediness of the female was evinced by her laying her body over the dish, securing the choicest morsels both with hands and feet, and then feeding with her mouth in the dish, using her lips in the manner of the horse, and evincing the greatest fear lest any portion should be taken from her; while the Chimpanzee sat perfectly upright, taking small portions gracefully between his thumb and forefinger, in the most placid and gentle manner; nor was his rage ever excited except by refusing him a part of an orange, of which he might have caught a glimpse, or that he knew (which he evidently did, by the smell) was contained in your pocket. Neither of these animals ever secured portions of food in the cheek or pouch; nor did they appear to smell their food before eating, as most of the monkeys do, except it was some uncommon substance which they had not been accustomed to eat. Both were in the habit of using a glass in drinking, but they were never known to throw it down; they invariably either gave it back, or set it down in the most careful manner. The Chimpanzee, in particular, was attracted by the brilliancy of colours, always getting up on the approach of any female whose dress was distinguished by the gaiety of its hues.

He likewise evinced great joy in being placed at a window, and would utter a scream of delight at the passing of horses and carriages; but nothing could exceed his rage when placed in a confined cage. He would then stand erect, crying, and shaking the bars with all his strength, until he obtained his release, when he would immediately fly to the arms of his liberator; and, such was his love of the society of those he knew, that the temptation of the choicest fruits would not entice him to remain in the room alone; for, if at liberty, he would run towards the door, and try to get out first, or would embrace your knees, and cry in the most piteous man

ner to be taken with you. During the whole time they were together, I never knew them attempt the least gambol or amusement of any kind, either together or individually; nor did they take any notice of other animals, as cats, monkeys, squirrels, &c., that were placed with them; but would sit for hours with the utmost gravity, as if absorbed in the most intense thought. At other times the male would examine your person, pockets, and hands, with the most minute attenConfinement seemed to be the most dreaded punishment; and, when threatened with that, he would cling to any one present for protection; and, at night, actual force was required to confine him to his bed, the female generally retiring of her own accord many hours before him. When called to by name (Buck), he generally answered with a short cry, putting out his hands to be taken up.

The instinct of providing and placing warm materials for her bed was the most marked in the female, who would be engaged for two hours at a time in dragging blankets from various parts of the room, smoothing and changing their position, and beating any raised part down with her knuckles; assuming at the same time a look of gravity and an appearance of wisdom. This capacity of providing and preparing a nightly lodging seemed to be almost extinct in the Chimpanzee, possibly from his sociality and confidence in man, as he took no care in this particular; but if no place were provided for him, and, even when provided, if he did not like it, he would climb into the bed of his keeper. The timidity of both animals was remarkable, they being exceedingly alarmed even at inanimate objects; a toy-dog, or a cast of one of their own species, that was in the room, if removed the least towards them, was sufficient to drive them to the farthest extremity of the apartment, in their most nimble, though not very quick, pace; and the fear exhibited by the female, at the sight of her deadly enemy, a boa constrictor, was most acutely evinced. It would appear as if they had not the power of distinguishing between the real and artificial, as a toy-snake shown to her produced the same results.

The hearing of both animals was remarkably acute, catching the most indistinct noise at a considerable distance; and their knowledge of sounds was accurately shown; as, on hearing the footsteps, on the stairs, of persons with whom they were acquainted, they ran towards the door before it was opened.

They were in the daily habit of riding in a coach, and on being seated, before the vehicle moved, they would secure themselves by getting a firm grasp of the hold-straps attached to the side of the coach.

It would seem that they had some knowledge of time; for, as the hour approached at which they were removed to their nightly residence, they would of their own accord get the blankets, and enfold themselves, in readiness to depart; and if their removal were protracted beyond the usual time, it required force to prevent them from going to the door. The Chimpanzee having caught a cold, which ultimately caused his death, he had a violent cough, that in sound was remarkably human; and as, when a fit of coughing came on, he was usually given some sweetmeat or cordial to stop it, he soon adopted the cough as a mode of obtaining those additional luxuries.

Nothing more evinced the impression which the appearance of the two animals made upon the persons who saw them, than the exclamation that usually followed the first sight of them. The universal cry, on seeing the Chimpanzee, was, "What a nice little fellow!" or, " What a little darling!" while his less-favoured partner, although of the softer sex, was generally saluted with, "What a disgusting beast!" &c. During his illness, his pitiable looks and evident sufferings, with his placidity and gentle habits, endeared him to all who saw him : and when he could no longer swallow food, the quiet manner of putting the hand that offered it on one side, and uttering a peculiarly mournful cry, was painfully touching. When bled, he evinced not the least alarm or uneasiness, but put out his forefinger to touch the blood that was trickling from his arm; he even allowed a blister on the chest to remain, after having been scolded once or twice for attempting to remove it.

Without placing entire credence, then, in the many wonderful tales related of these animals, enough has surely been said to excite our curiosity and interest, and even to awaken our admiration. I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Surrey Zoological Gardens, March 23. 1832.

J. WARWICK.

ART. II. A Notice of the Reed Warbler (Currùca arundinacea Brisson). By J. G. Stoke Newington.

Sir,

THIS bird, although rather local, is yet very abundant in some districts. Bewick seems to have quite overlooked it, and on this ground I am anxious that the accompanying specimens and their nests (fig. 63.) may be figured in your Magazine. They were procured this summer [1831] at Sudbury, Suffolk,

where I had frequent opportunities of observing the habits of the bird; for it abounds in the reeds [Arúndo Phragmites] on the banks of the Stour, and in the ditches communicating with the river.

Its congener, the sedge warbler (Currùca salicària), seems to live with it in great harmony; but the reed bird confines itself rather closely to the reeds, while the sedge bird is as frequently to be seen and heard in the low hawthorn bushes and pollard willows which skirt the river: however, one of the specimens now sent was shot in a poplar tree, having left the reeds for this unusual locality but an instant before.

I discovered two nests: from one of them the young birds had just made their escape, and were clinging with their long claws to the reeds; in which situation the old ones appeared to be feeding them. The little creatures leave the nest long before their wings are of any use, and support themselves with great dexterity on their frail perches, the sport of every passing breeze, and, to all appearance, in imminent danger of being precipitated into the water. In the mouths of nearly all the old birds which I shot was a number of flies, generally small dragon flies; and these, I observed, were much moistened, and in some instances almost half-digested, either by the saliva of the bird, or by its ability to hold water for this purpose. I was unable to make much observation upon the song of the bird, for the joyous days of sylvan melody had passed before my arrival in the country; all that I heard was a chirping note, very similar to that of the sedge warbler, although, perhaps, somewhat more hoarse and guttural.

* This remark applies equally to the sedge warbler.