burton's gerbille. 47 



General Hardwicke in the eighth volume of the ' Linn. 

 Trans.' The Indian gerbille is common in Hindustan, 

 and seems to be gregarious, great numbers associating 

 together. "These animals are very abundant about 

 cultivated lands, and are particularly destructive to wheat 

 and barley crops, of which they lay up considerable 

 hoards in spacious burrows near the scenes of their 

 plunder. They cut the culms of the ripening corn just 

 below the ears, and convey them thus entire to one com- 

 mon subterraneous repository, which when filled they 

 carefully close, and do not open for use till supplies 

 abroad become distant and scarce. Grain of all kinds is 

 their favourite food, but in default of this they have re- 

 course to the roots of grass and other vegetables. About 

 the close of day they issue from their burrows, and tra- 

 verse the plains in all directions to a considerable distance ; 

 they run very fast, but oftener leap, making bounds of 

 four or live yards at a time, carrying the tail extended 

 in a horizontal direction. When eating, they sit on 

 their hind-legs like a squirrel, holding the food between 

 their fore-feet. They never appear by day, neither do 

 they commit depredations within-doors, I have observed 

 their manners by night, in moonlight nights, taking my 

 station on a plain, and remaining for some time with as 

 little motion as possible. I was soon surrounded by hun- 

 dreds at the distance of a few yards, but on rising from my 

 seat the whole disappeared in an instant, nor did they 

 venture forth again for ten minutes after, and then with 

 much caution and circumspection. 



"A low tribe of Hindoos called Kunjers, whose occu- 

 pation is hunting, go in quest of these animals at proper 

 seasons to plunder their hoards of grain ; and often within 

 the space of twenty yards find as much corn in the ear 

 as could be crammed into a common bushel. They in- 

 habit dry situations, and are often found at the distance of 

 some miles out of the reach of water to drink. In con- 

 finement this animal soon becomes reconciled to its situa- 

 ation, and docile : sleeps much in the day, but when 

 awake feeds freely at night. The Hindoos above men- 

 tioned esteem them good and nutritious food." 



The Indian Gerbille is of the size of a common rat ; 



