THE LEMURS— LORIS. 



69 



being in the least disturbed by its surroundings. At 

 sunset it awakes, stretches itself and noiselessly 

 walks to and fro in its cage. It is very agile, but 

 always makes sure before moving that the next 

 branch is capable of sustaining its weight ; some- 

 times stretching its limbs beyond seeming possi- 



THE GRAY OR GENTLE LEMUR. This animal is a native of 



Madagascar, and has an amiable disposition. The tail and body are nearly 

 of equal length, each being about fifteen inches. The prevailing color is 

 gray, and the prominent eyes are soft and pleasing in expression. Its habits 

 are nocturnal, and in captivity it is prone to seek the dark portion of its 

 cage by day, but it is a most grateful little creature and one of the most pop- 

 ular pets of the entire family. {Hapalcmur griseus.) 



bilities. Sometimes it moves its head to and fro 

 with wonderful rapidity. The eyes literally gleam 

 like living coals in the dusk, and, being very close 

 together and only separated by a pale streak, they 

 rnake a peculiar impression. 



When very angry, the Slender Loris vents its feel- 

 ings in a deep snore, but it is by no means easy to 

 disturb its equanimity. It likes to be petted, some- 

 times closing its eyes with evident pleasure when it 

 is being caressed. 



The principal food of this animal is bread soaked 

 in milk. Fruit, meat and eggs it disdains to touch. 

 This Loris of mine never has been tempted by liv- 

 ing birds, but is very fond of insects and worms ; 

 yet it is so lazy and awkward that it does not catch 



them itself, and it requires the keeper to hold them 

 while it eats. 



The Slow The Slow Loris, Sharmindi Billi, or 

 Loris or "Bashful Billy [Stenops tardigradus) , is 

 Bashful Billy, better known than its slender cousin, 

 perhaps because it occupies a wider area of country. 

 It is a native of India, ranging as far west as the 

 lower Brahmapootra. The animal has never been 

 found in the Himalayas, but inhabits Assam and all 

 the country to the south and southeast of it, as well 

 as Sumatra, Java and Borneo. It is larger than the 

 Slender Loris and shows a greater variety of color- 

 ing. The usual tint is a light or dark silver-gray, 

 sometimes with a reddish tinge ; a chestnut stripe 

 runs the whole length of the spine, frequently ending 



FORK-CROWNED LEMUR. This animal is very abundant in 



the forests on the west side of Madagascar, and is found in less numbers on 

 the eastern side of the island. Its home is in hollow trees and it finds pleas- 

 ure in being near to Bees, whose honey it does not hesitate to steal. It utters 

 a sharp piercing cry, very much like that of the Guinea-fowl. {Chirogaleus 

 furcifer.) 



at the ears ; in some cases it is prolonged by two 

 ribbons to the eyes, in others four ribbons extend 

 to the eyes and ears. The eyes are always sur- 

 rounded by brown rings. The bald parts of the nose 

 and soles are flesh colored. The length of the body 



