[Illustration: HUMBOLDT'S WOOLLY MONKEY.]
{223}DISTRIBUTION.--This Monkey was discovered by Humboldt on the Guaviaré,
a branch of the Orinoco river. It occurs in the Upper Magdalena Valley,
Colombia, where it is known as the "Churuco" river. Its true habitat is the
district south-west of the Rio Negro towards the Andes. It is unknown in
the Lower Amazon Region.
HABITS.--The "Caparro," as the Orinoco Indians named this species to
Humboldt, or "Macaco barrigudo," as the Portuguese settlers call it, is
entirely an arboreal animal, living exclusively on fruits, on which it is a
most voracious feeder. The name of "big-bellied," which _barrigudo_ means,
is probably obtained from the effects of this habit. Its manners in
captivity are grave, and its temper, according to Mr. Bates, is mild and
confiding, like that of the Coaitas, or Spider-Monkeys. Owing to these
traits, the Barrigudo is much sought after as a pet; but it is not hardy
like the Coaitas, and seldom survives a passage down the river to Pará.
Nevertheless, the Zoological Society has had a considerable number of these
Monkeys in confinement during the past twenty years. Mr. Bates also states
that it is much persecuted by the natives on account of the excellence of
its flesh as food. "From information given me," he says, "by a collector of
birds and mammals whom I employed, and who resided a long time among the
Tacuna Indians, near Tabatinga, I calculated that one horde of this tribe,
200 in number, destroyed 1,200 of these Monkeys annually for food. The
species is very numerous in the forests of the higher lands, but, owing to
long persecution, it is now seldom seen in the neighbourhood of the larger
villages."