382 



Chittagong, Manipur, and Arrakan ; also Eastern Bengal (Dacca), 

 Upper Burma (Bhamo), and Preparis Island. 



Varieties. The form called S. assamensis is scarcely distinguishable 

 from typical S. locroides. There is, however, a well-marked variety 

 found 'in Sikhim and further east, with the anterior surface of the 

 thighs richly fulvous, lower parts generally grey. This is Macroxiis 

 similis of Gray. Anderson says that a jet-black squirrel found in 

 Sylhet and Cachar is probably referable to the present species. 



S. locroides appears to pass into S. griseimanus and also, I believe, 

 into the Chinese S. castaneoventris through forms of the latter with 

 little or no chestnut on the lower parts. 



252. Sciurus atridorsalis. The Uaclc-backed Squirrel. 



Sciurus atrodorsalis, Gray, A. M. N. H. x, p. 263 (1842) ; Blyth, 

 J. A. S. B. xvi, p. 872, pi. xxivii, %. 3, xvii, p. 345, xxiv, 

 p. 477, xxviii, p. 276, xxxi, p. 333 ; id. Cat. p. 105 ; id. Mam. 

 Birds Burma, p. 36 ; Peters, P. Z. S. 1866, p. 428 ; Blanford, 

 J. A. 8. B. xlvii, pt. 2, p. 159 ; Anderson, An. Zool. Res. p. 233 j 

 Thomas, P. Z. S. 1886, p. 70. 



Sciurus hyperythrus, Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv, p. 474 ; id Cat. p. 102. 



Foot broad ; sole smooth, not granulated between the pads. Two 

 pairs of mammae, A'entral and inguinal. 



Colour very variable. The upper surface speckled greyish or 

 rufous brown, with generally, but not always, an elongate black 

 patch in the middle of the back. In rufous specimens the head 

 is distinctly ferruginous red. Dorsal hairs black at the base, then 

 alternately yellow and black, two rings of each (or occasionally only 

 one ring) ; the black hairs of the patch in the middle of the back 

 are sometimes black throughout, sometimes have one pale ring and 

 a long black tip. Lower parts, as a rule, chestnut or bay, but 

 there is much variation as to the extent, the throat and breast 

 being often coloured like the sides, speckled greyish, and occasion- 

 ally the whole under surface is buff. In some skins the breast and 

 a band in the middle of the chestnut belly are speckled greyish, 

 as in the S. gordoni form of S. erythrceus. Tail, as a rule, sub- 

 annulate, the hairs being alternately ringed with isabelline and 

 black, about 4 rings of each, but at times there are long pale or 

 rufous tips to the hairs, and in some skins the hairs are chiefly or 

 entirely rufous white, in others black with rufous tips. Vibrissa? 

 white, white mixed with black, or black. 



Dimensions. Head and body 8'5 inches, tail without hair 7'4, 

 with hair 10, hind foot without, claws 1-8 ; extreme length of skull 

 1-95, basal length 1-7, zygomatic breadth 1-2. 



Distribution. Northern Tenasserim, from considerably north of 

 Moulmein to Tavoy. Common in Amherst. Not known certainly 

 to occur further south. Some specimens have been procured in 

 Lower Pegu. 



Varieties. The excessive variability of this form in colour will 

 be seen from the description. The pale lower surface in some 

 skins may be due to immaturity, but the presence or absence of a 



