CAPUCHIN

MONKEY  , the English name of a tropical American monkey scientifically known as Cebus capucinus; the plural, capuchins, is extended to embrace all the numerous species of the same genus, whose range extends from Nicaragua to Paraguay . These monkeys, whose native name is sapajou, are the typical representatives of the family Cebidae, and belong to a sub-family in which the tail is generally prehensile . From the other genera of that group (Cebinae) with prehensile tails capuchins are distinguished by the comparative shortness of that appendage, and the absence of a naked area on the under surface of its extremity . The hair is not woolly, the general build is rather stout, and the limbs are of moderate length and slenderness . The name capuchin is derived from the somewhat cowl-like form assumed by the thick hair on the crown of the head of the sapajous . In their native haunts these monkeys go about in troops of considerable size, frequenting the summits of the tall forest-trees, from which they seldom, if ever, descend . In addition to fruits of various kinds, they consume tender shoots and buds, insects, eggs and young birds . Many of the 2 The name comes from the aqueduct (forma) erected by Augustus for the supply of Capua, remains of which still exist . species are difficult to distinguish, and very little is known of their habits in a wild state, although several members of the group are common in captivity (see PRIMATES) . (R .