NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



THE RED-HEADED SQUIRREL 



(Paraxerus palliatus typicus) 

 Pocoluti of the Zulus; Inchindau ebomvu of Swazis. 



The Red-headed Squirrel is an inhabitant of the 

 forest belts on the eastern side of Africa, from 

 the northern borders of Natal, through Zululand, 

 Mozambique, Nyassaland to British East Africa. 

 The habits of these Squirrels are very much the 

 same as those of the preceding species. 



According to Mr. Francis, it is common in the 

 neighbourhood of Inhambane, and is known to the 

 natives there as the T'shindi. He says it may be 

 seen amongst the trees in the mornings, and that 

 it has a peculiar habit of jerking its tail upv^ards 

 and forwards. Its description, according to W. L. 

 Sclater, is as follows : 



'' Head speckled rufous and black ; below, includ- 

 ing the cheeks, chin, inside and lower halves of the 

 legs, bright rufous, the hairs being the same colour 

 throughout. General colour of upper parts of the 

 body and outside of limbs speckled yellow and 

 black, the hairs black at the base, and subterminally, 

 with intermediate reddish-yellow bands, and paler 

 yellow tips. Tail dark rufous, with long hairs which 

 are very pale at the base. Each hair has two black 

 rings, and the terminal half is dark rufous. Whiskers 

 black ; eyes dark brown. Incisor teeth smooth and 

 dark orange." 



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