i8 95 . MAMMALS OF THE MALAY PENINSULA. 29 



turning its head downwards utters a series of little scolding grunts, 

 which sound like some one talking at a considerable distance. 

 When a stone is thrown near it, it usually immediately jumps to the 

 ground. It is evidently as yet only half accustomed to an arboreal 

 life. In confinement it is very nervous, dashing about the cage when 

 approached, and it never lives long in captivity. 



The Musk-Shrew (Crocidura murina) is most abundant in gardens 

 and near houses, and often perfumes the lower part of the house with 

 its strong musky smell. Notwithstanding this, the dogs and cats con- 

 stantly kill them, though of course they do not eat them. It is 

 nocturnal, and being of a dusky grey is very inconspicuous. When 

 disturbed it darts away uttering loud, piercing shrieks, probably to 

 warn its pursuer that it is not a rat but an uneatable shrew, and it 

 may thus often escape being killed by mistake. It is useful in a house 

 for keeping down cockroaches and other insects, but is commonly 

 reported to taint wine and other liquors by running over the corks. 



H. N. Ridley. 

 (To be continued.) 



