SPECIES OF MAMMALS OF THE PACIFIC AREA 43 



earth from the deeper burrows is pushed up in symmetrical, 

 rounded mole-hills. 



Tree Shrews. Family Tupaiid^ 



The Common Tree Shrews (Tupaia) resemble squirrels in 



habits, color, bushy tail, and the shape of the hind feet. They 



are distinguished from squirrels by their long, pointed noses. 



They have five toes on the front feet. Their upper teeth con- 



Fig. 18 — Common Tree Shrew 



sist of two incisors on each side, a small peg-like canine, and 

 six check-teeth; the fourth and fifth cheek-teeth (first two 

 molars) have the cusps arranged in a W-pattern and are much 

 broader than the other teeth. The orbit (eye-socket) is com- 

 pletely surrounded by a bony ringj and the cheek arch is com- 

 plete. Tree shrews feed on insects, leaves, and fruit, and occa- 

 sionally the eggs and young of birds. They are often active 

 during the day-time. Tree shrews are found from India, 

 Burma, and southern China to Borneo, Bali, and the Philip- 



