THE ANT-EATERS 



138$ 



inferior -surface, is naked and scaly. The three middle toes of the fore-foot have 

 well-developed claws, of which that on the third is much larger than either of the 

 others; while the first toe has only a minute claw, and the fifth is clawless, and con- 

 cealed within the skin. The hind-foot is very similar to that of the great ant-eater, 

 and has five subequal clawed toes. The structure of the skull is essentially the 

 same, and the collar bones are likewise rudimentary. The whole length of the head 

 and body is about two feet, and that of the tail six inches less. As regards colora- 

 tion, there is a great amount of individual variation. The general hue of the fur 

 is, however, yellowish white, with a more or less marked rusty tinge; but a broad 

 black band extends from the sides of the neck along the flanks, and becomes so deep 

 on the hind-quarters as to appear the predominating color. The tip of the snout, 



TWO-TOED ANT-EATER. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



together with the lips, eyelids,' and the soles of the feet, are naked and black, and 

 the ears are but sparsely haired. 



The tamandua (which, by the way, is the Portuguese term for the 

 creature, the native name being caguari) ranges through the tropical 

 forests of South and Central America. It is mainly an arboreal ani- 

 mal, its climbing powers being largely aided by the prehensile tail. Generally noc- 

 turnal, it may be sometimes seen abroad during the day. Its movements are more 

 rapid than those of the great ant-eater, and when asleep it lies on its belly, with the 

 head bent under the chest and covered with the fore-feet, while the tailed is curled 

 along the side. Its food apparently consists mainly of ants, and termites probably 

 belonging to arboreal species; but it has been suggested that honey may likewise 

 form a portion of its diet. L,ike the great ant-eater, it produces only a single young 



