EATS AND MICE. 67 



in having a slightly longer ear and a longer hind foot. The Chinese 

 call these animals Tiao-tu-tzu (Jumping hare), the Mongol name be- 

 ing alactahai." 



Between the jerboas and our next group comes a rat-like animal 

 known as Sicista concolor. The only specimens in North China occur 

 in South-west Kansu. 



Closely related to the jerboas come the gerbils or sand rats. 

 These beautiful little creatures may be found in the sandy deserts of 

 Asia and Africa, and are characterized by their hairy tails, sandy 

 colour and big black eyes. They, have large hind feet and can jump 

 well, though they have not developed along this line nearly as far as 

 have the jerboas. They live in large colonies, and make extensive 

 warrens like those of the rabbit. 



In China and the adjacent areas of Mongolia there are three 

 species belonging to this genus. Of these Meriones auceps is the 

 largest and most handsome. This species is found in Shansi and 

 Shensi. In colour it is of a rich orange-buff above and white below. 

 The bushy tail is of a redder colour, the under surface being white in 

 many individuals. The eyes are large and black; the ears medium 

 sized. On the whole it is as pretty a member of the rat tribe as exists, 

 and it makes a splendid pet. 



Meriones psammophilus is found in both Shansi and Chihli. It is 

 smaller in size than M. auceps, and less brightly coloured. As its 

 name suggests it inhabits more sandy areas. 



The third species is Meriones unguiculatus , which is found in 

 Mongolia, the Ordos Desert and North Shansi. It is much duller 

 in colour than either of the other two species, and has no white about 

 it. It is also diurnal in its habits, whereas M. auceps is nocturnal and 

 M. psammopliilus only semi-diurnal. The Chinese do not distinguish 

 between the three species calling them all Huang shu (Yellow rat). 



The hamsters, our next group, are represented in North China 

 by seven species and subspecies. All of these are characterized by 

 the possession of very large check pouches, in which they carry food, 

 to be stored up in their burrows. They have short tails, but are other- 

 wise very rat-like in appearance. The largest are the giant hamster 

 Cricetulus triton, and its sub-species Cncetu'lus triton incanus. 

 The first of these is an inhabitant of Shantung and Chihli, the second 

 being confined more to Western Shansi. These rats live in burrows, 

 which have a large store chamber, and are reached by a vertical round 



