THE GERBILS 



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gerbils, of which there are more than half a hundred species, inhabit Asia and Africa, 

 but there are some allied genera confined to the latter continent. 



One of the best-known species is the Indian gerbil (Gerbillus indicus], which 

 is about the size of a rat, with moderate-sized rounded ears, and the fur light 

 brownish rufous above, and white beneath. With its large, bright eyes, and long, 

 tufted tail, this gerbil (like its cousins) is one of the most graceful of the smaller 

 Rodents. ' In common with the other species, it inhabits open, sandy plains, where 

 it lives in companies, constructing extensive burrows approached by numerous 

 chambers, and containing large central chambers containing dried grass. The 

 Indian gerbil is a thoroughly nocturnal animal, seldom leaving its burrow during 



EGYPTIAN GERBII,. 



the daytime. It is frequently found near cultivated grounds, where it does much 

 damage to the corn crops, sometimes appearing in such numbers as to constitute a 

 veritable plague. Away from cultivated districts, its food consists mainly of grass 

 and roots. It has been stated that gerbils lay up stores of food in their burrows, 

 but it does not appear that this is really the case. Gerbils resemble jerboas in pro- 

 gressing by a series of leaps from their long hind-legs; the length of the leaps in the 

 Indian species being from twelve to fifteen feet. So active are these animals, that 

 they are generally able to elude such dogs as may pursue them, sometimes even 

 jumping upon their backs. The Indian gerbil is one of the most prolific of Rodents, 

 frequently producing from twelve to fifteen young at a birth, and occasionally it is 

 said, even more. 



