774 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.xxiv. 
until the 3'ear 1858, when it was discovered by the naturalists of the 
Novara expedition. They found it on all the larger Nicobar islands, 
but most a])undantly on Great Nicobai". According to their account 
it is a noisy animal, uttering- a long-drawn "diinh-danh" when dis- 
turbed or pursued. Nothing of importance has been added to this 
ver}^ meager account of the animal's habit. Dr. Abbott describes it as 
very active, and generally found in the treetops; apparently more 
strict!}' arboreal than other members of the genus. 
The series of 18 skins obtained l)y Dr. Abbott shows that the species 
is rather variable in color, somewhat more so, in fact, than other mem- 
bers of the genus. In most specimens the color-pattern is like that 
shown in Zelebor's plate — that is, the dark dorsal area is continued for- 
ward along side of shoulder to join that of head, thus completely 
isolating the yellowish brown mantle from the pale area of the under- 
parts. In others the dark area invades the mantle, reducing it occa- 
sionally to a mere t/ace, l)ut never to its entire obliteration. On the 
other hand, in a few skins the mantle is so extended as to cover the 
entire head and shoulders, thus excluding the dark area from the 
region in front of a point halfway between shoulder and hip. The 
color of the tail varies from nearly black and concolor with the dark 
dorsal area to a yellowish brown like that of belly. Though there is a 
difference in appearance between the lirown of the mantle and that of 
the belly, it is chiefi}^ if not wholly due to the dense silky qualit}' of the 
fur of the upper parts as compared with the loose, lusterless texture 
of that l)eneath. The actual color is difficult to describe, as nothing like 
it can be found in Ridgway's nomenclature. It most closely approaches 
buff" (PI. V, fig. 13), l)ut is strongl}^ tinged with wood brown, the glossy 
fur of the mantle often imparting a peculiar vividness without actuall}'^ 
changing the shade. On thighs there is added a faint tinge of drab, 
which in some specimens appears also on mantle and underparts. 
TUPAIA NICOBARICA SURDA, new subspecies. 
7?/j9^'.— Adult male (skin and skull). No. 111757, U.S.N.M. Collected 
on Little Nicobar Island, March 1, 1901, by Dr. W. L. Abbott. Original 
number, 899. 
CharacteTii. — Similar to Tu^^aia oilcoharica iitcoharica^ ])ut light areas 
of pelage much less yellow and less contrasted with dark areas. 
Color. — Type: Entire underparts, front and hind legs, head, neck, 
shoulders, and anterior half of back wood brown, tinged with drab 
posteriorly and on upper parts, with buff elsewhere. An indetinite 
dark shade on forehead and another on nape, the latter sending back 
a faint median streak and two still more indistinct lateral shades. On 
underparts and inner surface of legs the hairs are dull and lusterless 
and the color clear, ])ut on upper parts and outer surface of legs the 
