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38

June 24, 1968
Barro Colorado

  I was wandering around the outside animal cages this morning and noticed several interesting incidents.

  We brought back 4 young (perhaps half grown) Squirrel Monkeys from Valparaiso a couple of weeks ago.  Theoretically 2 ♂'s and 2 ♀'s.  They have been put in a large outside cage.  They seem to be flourishing.

  The cage is quite heavily planted.  And the animals spend most of their time investigating the plants.  Obviously looking for insects.  Investigating in, on, and under all sorts of leaves.  And certainly catching quite a variety of small insects from time to time. (Mike has also found that they are very, very fond of crickets.)  

  But at least one individual this morning ate half of a large leaf (probably hibiscus) which did not have an insect in or on it.

  All the individuals spend a great deal of time in and near the ground. Possibly because the vegetation is low.

  Once this morning all the individuals just happened to be fairly high, 4-6 ft above ground, when a hawk or vulture flew over head.  They all leapt downward, to the ground, instantly.  With muffled "Tsit" Notes.

  This species would seem to be as nearly terrestrial

Transcription Notes:
♂, ♀