Cuming's octodon. 



101 



turbed, they all run like rabbits to their burrows. When 

 running they carry their tails raised up, more like squir- 

 rels than rats ; and they also sit up like those animals. 

 According to Molina they lay up a winter store of food, 

 but do not become dormant. The Octodon is the Degu 

 of that writer : he says that the Indians used formerly to 

 eat them with much relish. Piebald and albino varieties 

 are not uncommon. The greatest enemy of these active 

 little creatures is a species of horned owl, which feeds 

 chiefly upon them. 



Cuming's Octodon. 



The Tucutuco (^Ctenomys Magcllanicus). 



General colour brownish gray tinged with yellow and 

 slightly varied by a blackish tint ; under parts paler ; 

 chin and throat pale fawn. I.ength of head and body 



