64 THE BOOK OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 



suits them, and one invariably associates them with unrestrained 

 liberty and unlimited freedom. I am thinking in this respect of the 

 Skylark on the one hand, and the Hare on the other, for both bird 

 and beast love a wide range, one of space and the other of earth. 

 Thus may they enjoy their little day. 



It may not generally be known that whereas the young of the 

 Rabbit are born blind, young Hares are brought into the world 

 with their eyes wide open, and thus resemble the Cavies of whom 

 we have already written. There is just reason for this, as the young 

 Rabbit is born in a snug nest below ground, and is thus more pro- 

 tected from its numerous enemies, whilst the young Hares are born 

 above ground, and are surrounded by foes both on the earth and 

 above it. So it comes about that we find the Leveret soon able to 

 run about and take care of himself. 



EGYPTIAN JEKBOA. — The last animal pet included in our present 

 section is one of the most delightful little creatures known to us. 

 The Egyptian Jerboa (Fig. 53) — for such is its name — is just that 

 kind of pet to give to a young boy fond of animals. It is such an 

 engaging little being that it cannot fail to arrest attention and create 

 interest in an intelligent youth having a love for pets. As will be 

 observed, the Jerboa is at once distinguished by its long tail and 

 very long hind-legs. It reminds one in a measure of the Kangaroo, 

 especially so far as concerns its mode of progression. 



The Jerboas, and their relatives the Jumping Mice, are terrestrial 

 creatures, and are mostly found in Asia and Africa, although there 

 is one species in North America and a few others in Southern 

 Europe. 



The Jerboas proper are split up into two groups, the first consist- 

 ing of species possessing three toes on the hind-feet, and the second 

 of those which have five toes on the hind-feet. The Egyptian species 

 figured in the illustration belongs to the three-toed section, the two 

 small lateral toes on the hind-limbs having been completely lost. 

 It measures about six and three-quarter inches exclusive of the tail, 

 the total length over all being about fifteen inches. It is sandy-grey 

 on the upper parts, with white below, and a wide stripe down the 

 hind-limbs. The long tail is yellowish-brown on top and whitish 

 underneath, tipped with black and white, a characteristic feature. 



It is upon the dry desert that this little mammal makes its home 

 in company with its fellows. The arid nature of its surroundings 

 makes one wonder what the animal finds to eat. It is largely a 



