154 INSECTIVORA. 



THE PRESS. 



The Press, or Squirrel Shrew, Tupaia fcrruginea (Plate V), is a 

 very pretty creature so like the squirrel that, as it runs about, it can be 

 distinguished only by the elongated outline of the head. It measures 

 about thirteen inches, including hve inches of tail ; the length of the head 

 being two inches. Its height, as it stands or .ill-fours, is about three inches. 



The coloring of its fur is a brownish-maroon, which in some parts, 

 as the spine, is deepened into a rich brownish-black, and in others, as the 

 ribs and flanks, is warmed into a reddish tint. Hence the epithet of 

 fcrruginea or "rusty" has been applied to the animal. This change 

 of color is caused by tlie mode in which the hairs are marked in alter- 

 nate rings of black and maroon. Those which run along the back are 

 black, with a fawn-colored ring in the middle, but those which grow 

 upon the ribs are fawn, with a black ring in the middle. The ears are 

 black. Upon the under surface of the body the fur is of a whitish- 

 yellow, fading into gray. The long and bush}' hairs which decorate the 

 tail are so dotted with white that they give a grayish-brown effect. 



Alihough ihe teeth of all the Tupaias are evidently of an insectivorous 

 description, the Press, as well as its congeners, feeds chiefl)- on coleopter- 

 ous insects, but varies its diet with certain fruits. It is affirmed that the 

 Press partakes so far of the carnivorous propensities of the mole, that 

 it will sometimes pounce upon small birds as they are hopping among 

 the branches, and make a meal upon their bodies. One of these animals 

 that was tamed, and accustomed to roam about the house at will, was 

 very fond of milk and fruits, and used to attend at every meal for the 

 purpose of obtaining these coveted luxuries. 



THE BANGSRING. 



The Bangsring, Tupaia Javaiiica, abounds in the dense forests of 

 Java. It differs from the preceding species by the length of its tail, 

 which is fully as long as its body, of a uniform thickness and clothed 

 wit li hairs that spread out like those on the squirrel's tail. The fur is 

 close and line, with a few longer and darker hairs interspersed in its 

 prevailing hue of grayish-brown. It is easily tamed. Sir .Stamford 

 Raffles describes one which behaved like a pet spaniel, and ate fruits 

 and milk at the table of its owner. 



