_Mycetes villosus_, Gray, Ann. Nat. Hist., xvi., p. 220 (1845); id. Cat.
Monkeys Brit. Mus., p. 41 (1870); Sclater, P. Z. S., 1872, p. 5, figs, 1
and 2; Alston, in Godm. and Salvin, Biol. Centr. Amer. Mamm., pp. 3 and
5, pl. i.
CHARACTERS.--Differs from _M. niger_ by its abundant, long, and soft hairs,
which below, towards their bases, show a rufescent tinge, and by the
frontal hairs being _sometimes_ directed downwards at the base, instead of
upwards; hair on cheeks under the ears, brownish.
MALE.--Entirely black.
FEMALE AND YOUNG.--Also quite black, like the adult male, {200}instead of
being pale yellow, like the corresponding age and sex of _A. nigra_, and
having also the hair shorter and not so glossy.
DISTRIBUTION.--This Howler is known only from the virgin forests of the
eastern and north-eastern portions of Guatemala. Mr. Osbert Salvin has
given the following account of this species. "The _Mycetes_ of Guatemala is
commonly known as the 'Mono.' It is abundant throughout the virgin forests
of the eastern portion of the Republic, but is unknown on the forest-clad
slopes which stretch towards the Pacific Ocean. In the former region it is
found at various altitudes over a wide expanse of country. I have heard its
cry on the shores of the lake of Yzabal; and all through the denser forests
of the valley of the River Polochic it is very common, from the steep
mountain road which lies between the upland village of Purulá and S.
Miguel-Tucuru, and especially in the wilderness of uninhabited forest,
which stretches from Teleman to the lake of Yzabal. In the unbroken
forest-country which occupies the whole of the northern portion of Vera
Paz, from Coban and Cahabon to the confines of Peten, it is also abundant;
for seldom an hour passes but the discordant cry of the Mono strikes upon
the ear of the traveller, as he threads the lonely path to Peten. The
elevation of this district varies from 700 to 3,000 feet, and the _Mycetes_
is found at all elevations. When travelling through the forest in 1862, I
was dependent for the animal food, to supply my party of Indians, entirely
upon my gun, and Monos contributed not a little to the larder. The Indians
eat Monkey without demur, but the meat looks dark and untempting. For my
own part I far preferred the delicate Tinamou or Curassow, a sufficient
supply of which never failed for my own consumption. Perhaps there is no
district in Vera Paz where Monos are more abundant than the mountains of
{201}Chilasco, a cold and damp region, elevated at least 6,000 feet above
the sea, but where the forest-growth is of the densest description and
trees of the largest size abound. It was here that the specimens were
obtained that are now in the British Museum."
HABITS.--These animals are found in small companies of five or six. They
are usually met with on the upper branches of the highest trees, and when
disturbed crawl sluggishly along the boughs. "The wonderful cry whence
_Mycetes_ gets its trivial name of Howling Monkey is certainly most
striking; and I have sometimes endeavoured to ascertain how far this cry
may be heard. It has taken me an hour or more to thread the forest
undergrowth from the time the cry first struck my ear to when, guided by
the cry alone, I stood under the tree where the animals were. It would
certainly not be over estimating the distance to say two miles. When the
sound came over the lake of Yzabal, unhindered by trees, a league would be
more like the distance at which the Mono's cry may be heard." (_O.
Salvin._)
To this species, we believe, belongs the following description given by
Captain Dampier: "The Monkeys that are in these parts are the ugliest I
ever saw. They are much bigger than a Hare, and have great Tails about two
Foot and a half long. The under side of their Tails is all bare, with a
black hard Skin; but the upper side and all the Body is covered with
coarse, long black staring Hair. These Creatures keep together, twenty or
thirty in a company, and ramble over the Woods, leaping from Tree to Tree.
If they meet with a single Person they will threaten to devour him. When I
have been alone I have been afraid to shoot them, especially the first Time
I met them. They were a great company, dancing {202}from Tree to Tree over
my Head; chattering and making a terrible Noise; and a great many grim
Faces, and shewing antick Gestures. Some broke down dry Sticks and threw at
me; ... at last one bigger than the rest came to a small Limb just over my
Head; and leaping directly at me made me start back, but the Monkey caught
hold of the Bough with the tip of his tail; and there continued swinging to
and fro, and making mouths at me.... The Tails of these Monkeys are as good
to them as one of their hands; and they will hold as fast by them.... The
Females with their young ones are much troubled to leap after the Males;
for they have commonly two: one she carries under one of her Arms, the
other sits on her Back, and clasps her two Fore-Paws about her Neck. These
Monkeys are the most sullen I ever met with, for all the Art we could use
would never tame them.... These Monkeys are very rarely or (as some say)
never on the Ground."