80 



" slowly float down to near the bottom of the tree on the opposite 

 " side of the opening. This was the position of the squirrel in its 

 < l flight, and I noticed particularly that just as it approached the tree 

 " it made a slight curve upwards as mentioned by Jerdon ; some of 

 " these flights were at least 60 yards from tree to tree" A cleverly 

 drawn sketch by the accomplished sportsman whose words I have 

 just quoted represents a flying squirrel floating down supported by 

 his extended parachute and with his head and forepaws up, stand- 

 ing, so to speak, in the air, on his hind legs, if not in an erect position 

 at least at an angle of 50. This would also be my evidence regard- 

 ing the position of the creature during flight. If I mistake not, 

 however, the usually conceived idea is that the flying squirrel pre- 

 cipitates itself headlong, " takes a header" in fact at exactly the 

 opposite angle. 



Tickell's remark of the pace of this animal when on the ground, 

 viz., that it is " a hobbling or hopping kind of gallop" vide page 

 176 of Jerdon, and that the parachute keeps " flapping about and 

 " impeding its movements" is very correct as indeed are all of 

 the descriptions given by that excellent naturalist. 



I remember a brother officer remarking of a tame one " that in 

 movement it resembled a rabbit rolled up in a towel and wearing 

 the brush of a fox. " 



My friend further remarks on my notes on the Indian porcupine, 

 page 67. 



" On more than one occasion I have seen porcupines on the 

 " Neilgherries long after the sun has been up, but always near 

 " their earths. I have frequently had my dogs wounded by porcu- 

 " pines, occasionally with two and three quills sticking in their 

 " bodies, evidently driven in with considerable force. A short time 

 " ago, I was present at a beat for samber, when a fine spaniel was 

 " killed by a stab from a porcupine quill which had penetrated 

 " deep into his loins. How do porcupines deliver these severe 

 " thrusts with their quills ? I think they must charge backwards 

 " to enable them to accomplish this. I see that Jerdon, and you 

 " also say they do charge backwards" 



He says also with regard to my notes on the black naped hare 

 No. 51, page 68. 



