. The popular natural history . Zoology. 8 THE AGILE GtBBON. All the Gibbons are gifted with voices as powerful as their limbs, and the creatures seem to lose few opportunities of exercising lungs or limbs. The cry which these animals utter is a singular one, loud and piercing, and has been represented by the syllables " wou-wou," which duplex combination of intonations is often used as a general name common to the whole family. Some writers express the sound by the words " oa-oa," and others as " woo- woo," among which the reader is left to choose. Of the habits
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 8 THE AGILE GtBBON. All the Gibbons are gifted with voices as powerful as their limbs, and the creatures seem to lose few opportunities of exercising lungs or limbs. The cry which these animals utter is a singular one, loud and piercing, and has been represented by the syllables " wou-wou," which duplex combination of intonations is often used as a general name common to the whole family. Some writers express the sound by the words " oa-oa," and others as " woo- woo," among which the reader is left to choose. Of the habits of the Gibbons in a wild state very little is known, as they are shy in their nature, and by means of their wonderful agility escape among the trees in a manner that baffles pursuit or observation. As to the species which is represented in the accompanying engraving, it seems to be the most active of this agile family, and well deserves the name that has been given to it. Rather more has been noticed of this wonderful creature, and a further insight into its habits has been gained, by means of a female'specimen, which was captured, and brought safely to London, where it lived for some time. In their native woods, these animals are most interesting to the observer, if he is only fortunate enough to get near them without being seen by the vigi- lant creatures. A good telescope affords an excellent mode of watching the customs of animals that are too timid to permit a human being to come near their haunts. When startled, the Agile Gibbon flits at once to the top of the tree, and then, seizing the branch that seems best adapted to its purpose, it swings itself once or twice to gain an im- petus, and launches itself through the air like a stone from a sling, gaining its force very much on the same principle. Seizing another branch, tow ards which it had aimed itself, and which it reaches with unerring certainty, the creature re- peats the process, and flings itself with ease through
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
