~ PTEROMYS PETAUFxISTA. 175 



P. oral, TiCKELL, Calc. J". N. H. 2, pi. Xl.—Ordl of the Coles.— Prt%«, 

 Mahr. of Ghats. — Parachaten, Mai. (Buch. Hamilton), 



The Brown Flying Squirrel, 



Descr. — Upper parts duskj-maroon black grizzled with white, the 

 membrane and limbs above somewhat brighter and more rufous ; the 

 feet, the muzzle, and round the eyes, and terminal half of the tail, dark- 

 brown or black, the last sometimes with a little white towards the tip ; 

 under parts dingy brownish- gray or nearly white, Mr. Elliot calls its 

 upper colour a beautiful gray, caused by the intermixture of black with 

 white and dusky hairs. The male is distinguished by an irregular i:)atch 

 of rufous on the sides of the neck, which in the female is a sort of 

 pale fawn. 



Length, head and body, 20 inches ; tail 21 ; breadth 24. 



The female has six mammse, two pectoral and four ventral. 



This flying squirrel is found throughout the peninsula of India wherever 

 there are extensive lofty forests. I have observed it in Malabar, in Tra- 

 vancore, where very abundant ; in the forest of Bustar in Central India, 

 and in the Vindhian mountains, near Mhow ; and I have seen specimens 

 from the Northern Circars. It also extends from the Midnapore jungles 

 through great part of Central India. It is found in Ceylon. It frequents 

 the loftiest trees in the thickest pai'ts of the forests, and is quite nocturnal 

 in its habits, usually making its appearance when quite dusk. The 

 natives discover its whereaboiits by noting the droppings beneath the trees 

 it frequents. It is said to keep in holes of trees during the day, and 

 breeds in the same places. In the Wynaad many are killed, and a few 

 captured alive by the Coorumbars, a jungle race of aborigines who are 

 usually employed to fell the forest trees in clearing for coffee ; and I 

 have had several sent to me alive, caught in this way, but could not 

 keep them for any time. It lives chiefly on fruits of various kinds, also 

 on bark, shoots, &c. ; and Tickell says, " occasionally on beetles and the 

 larvae of insects." Mr. Elliot says, " it is very gentle, timid, and may 

 be tamed, but from its delicacy is difiicult to preserve." 



Tickell also states, that " when taken yoimg it becomes a most 

 engaging pet. It can be reared on goat's or cow's milk, and in aboiit 

 three weeks will begin to nibble fruit of any kind. During the day it 

 sleeps much, either sitting with its back bent into a circle, and its head 

 thrust down to its belly, or lying on its back with the legs and parachute 



