MAMMALIA. 



FAMILY, SCIURID.^. 



IS 



6 1. Spcrniophiliis xantJioprymmis. (Bennett. P. Z. S. 1835, p. 90.) 



Exceedingly abundant on the sandy and stony plains of the uplands 

 of Moab and Gilead, burrowing generally in the neighbourhood of ruins. 

 It lives in large colonies, and when camped near their warrens, we heard 

 their clear call-note, a sort of whistle, incessantly through the night. 

 They are most difficult to catch, keeping very close to their holes, and 

 dropping into them on the slightest alarm. I never met with this 

 Marmot west of Jordan. 



This species of Pouched Rat has generally been confounded with the 

 European ; but Alston (P. Z. S. 1S80, p. 59) has pointed out its distinct- 

 ness. It seems to occur through the Southern Steppes, Persia, and Asia 

 Minor. 



62. Sciiirus syriacus. Ehrenb. Symb. Phys. Mam. i. cc. Syrian 

 Squirrel. Arab. <_,U.;~o, Sinjab. 



Extremely abundant in woods south of Hermon and throughout the 

 Lebanon. I have never noticed it in the southern part of the country. 

 In habits it is exactly like our Common Squirrel. Its range extends 

 through Syria and Asia Minor. 



63. Sciiirus russatiis, Wagn. Schreb. Saugth. iii. 155. 



We collected in considerable numbers the variety discriminated as 

 vS". russaius by Wagner. But I cannot bring myself to believe in its 

 specific value. 



FAMILY, MYOXID^. 



64. Myoxiis glis. Schreb. Mamm. iv. 825, tab. 225. Great Dormouse. 

 Very abundant in the oases of the Jordan valley, especially about 



Jericho, where it has its nest in every doin tree. It is very lively in 

 winter when disturbed. 



This species is found throughout South Europe, from Spain to Greece, 

 in Southern Russia, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and the countries round 

 the Caspian. 



