THE THREE-TOED, OR TRUE JERBOAS 



1287 



In size, the Egyptian jerboa is rather inferior to the alagdaga, the length of the 

 head and body being about six and three-fourth inches, while the tail, exclusive of 

 the hair at the end, measures a little over eight inches. The general color of the 

 upper parts is a sandy gray; the under surface of the body being white, and a broad 

 white stripe extending down the hind-limbs. The tail is yellowish brown above and 

 whitish beneath, with the usual black-and-white tip. 



The range of the Egyptian jerboa extends from the north of Arabia westward 

 through Lower Egypt to Oran in Algeria. There are, however, numerous other 

 species of the genus, some of which inhabit Eastern Persia and Central Asia. 



The name of two-legged mouse was applied to the Egyptian jerboa 

 on account of the fore-legs being applied so closely to the chest when 

 the animal is jumping that it has an almost bird-like appearance. The home of this 



Habits 



THE AFRICAN JUMPING HARE. 



(One-eighth natural size.) 



species is arid and desert districts, where the ground consists solely of sand and 

 pebbles, and the vegetation is so scant that it is a marvel that even such a tiny crea- 

 ture can find the wherewithal to live. Here it lives in companies, frequently of 

 considerable size, in association with sand grouse, the small desert lark, the cream- 

 colored courser, and various lizards. So exactly, does the color of the jerboa 

 harmonize with its surroundings, that when at a short distance it is scarcely possible 

 to recognize the presence of a living creature. Although very abundant, it is, from 

 its extreme shyness, but seldom seen. Like its kindred, this jerboa is essentially a 

 nocturnal animal; but it generally comes out to feed before sundown, while it not 

 unfrequently sits at the mouth of its hole, or a short distance off, even in the full 

 sunshine. It digs a burrow in the hard gravelly soil with its fore-feet, aided some- 

 times by its incisor teeth; these burrows generally having four entrances. Accord- 



