THE FLYING SQUIRRELS 1265 



of a well-developed membrane connecting the hind legs and embracing the upper 

 part of the tail, as well as by the perfectly-cylindrical form of the 



lviHJ? 



g -i latter appendage. They are further characterized by the taller crowns 

 and somewhat more complex structure of the molar teeth, which are 

 nearly similar in all the species. 



There are at least ten species of this genus, ranging from India, through Burma 

 and the Malayan region to the south of China and Formosa, and also extending 

 northward into Eastern Tibet. One of the best-known species is the Malayan fly- 

 ing squirrel, or taguan (P. petaurista} from the Malay Peninsula and islands. 

 Closely allied, is Hodgson's flying squirrel (P. magnificus}, from the Nipal Him- 

 alayas and the ranges south of the Assam valley, at elevations of from five thousand 

 to six thousand feet. The length of the head and body of this species is sixteen 

 inches, and that of the tail from eighteen to twenty-two inches. Its color appears 

 to undergo a seasonable change; the upper parts, in what is considered to be the 

 summer dress, being of a deep maroon color, usually with a more or less distinct 

 yellow line down the middle of the back; while the sides of the neck and the inner 

 border of the parachute yellowish, and the rest of the latter reddish or chestnut. 

 On the other hand, in the presumed winter coat, the upper parts are chestnut, with- 

 out any light line down the back. The larger forests of peninsular India south of 

 the Ganges, as well as those of Ceylon, Burma, and Mergui, are tenanted by another 

 very fine species known as the large brown flying squirrel (P. oral}, in which the 

 length of the head and body varies from sixteen to eighteen inches, and that of the 

 tail from twenty-four to twenty-five inches. The general color is grizzled brown 

 above, varying from deep chestnut to gray in one direction, and to black in the 

 other; the under parts being white, often more or less tinged with gray or brown. 

 In the Western Himalayas, at elevations of from six thousand to ten thousand feet, 

 and in Kashmir, this species is replaced by the closely-allied, large, red flying 

 squirrel (P. inornatus), distinguished by its more rufous pelage. The spotted 

 flying squirrel (P. pundatus), represented in our colored plate, is a considerably- 

 smaller species from Malacca and Burma, distinguished by the white spots on the 

 back. 



The habits of all the members of this genus are very similar and closely 

 resemble those of the lesser flying squirrels. The large red species probably hiber- 

 nates, but most of the others are active throughout the year. The common brown 

 Indian form inhabits the forest, but in forest-clad districts they may be found near 

 villages in clumps of mango and other trees. In addition to fruits and nuts, it is 

 said to eat bark, and also insects and their larvae; and it drinks by lapping with 

 the tongue. Its cry is described as a low, soft monotone, quickly repeated. Mr. 

 Blanford writes that this "flying squirrel sleeps during the day, sitting, like so 

 many arboreal Mammals, with its back bent into a circle and its head thrust in- 

 side; or, in hot weather, lying on its back with the parachute extended. It is not 

 so active as other squirrels, either on trees or on the ground, the parachute imped- 

 ing its movements. When passing from one tree to another at a distance, it leaps, 

 with its parachute extended, from the higher branches, and descends, at first more 

 directly, then, apparently, by availing itself of the resistance of the air, more and 

 III 80 



