SCIUflUS TRISTRIATUS. 171 



along the whole length of the back, and two fainter lines on each side ; 

 beneath whitish ; tail with the hairs variegated with red and black ; 

 ears rounded. 



Length about 13 to 14 inches, of which the tail is nearly half. 



This well-known little squirrel is common throughout the whole penin- 

 sula of India, except in some parts of Malabar, and the north-eastern part 

 of Bengal ; and from its familiarity and shrill voice is quite a pest at 

 times, especially to invalids. It does not occur out of India, nor in 

 Ceylon. It enters houses freely, picking up crumbs, grains of rice, &c., 

 and, indeed, often has its permanent abode in bungalows and out- 

 houses, building its nest on the eaves, rafters, and in the thatch. It 

 resorts much to the ground for its food, and it is often carried off by 

 the dwarf-eagle, Aquila pennata, which stoops on it when thus em- 

 ployed. It usually constructs a bulky nest of grass, wool, cotton, &c., 

 which it takes no pains to conceal among the branches of trees, or in 

 the eaves of houses, on cornices, &c. Why it was named the " palm- 

 squirrel " has often puzzled the Indian naturalist, for though occasionally 

 seen on palm-trees, it is so exceedingly rarely. The female has from 

 two to four young at a birth. Mr. Blyth has noticed that the call of 

 this squirrel, but more particularly that of the next closely-allied one, 

 reminded him of the chirping of birds, which, says he, is also noticed 

 of the allied form Tamias. 



This squirrel is easily caught in a common rat-trap. If taken when 

 young, it becomes very tame. Great numbers used to be taken at Trichi- 

 nopoly, and the skins very nicely tanned for sale to Europeans. An 

 Indian legend runs that when Hunaman was crossing the Ganges, it 

 was bridged over by all the animals. A small gap remained which was 

 filled by this squirrel, and when Hunaman passed over, he placed his 

 hand on the squirrel's back, and the marks of his five fingers remained 

 ever since on its back. When alarmed, the hairs of its tail are erected 

 at right angles, like a bottle-brush. 



Gray has applied the synonym of S. penicillatus to the next species, 

 but it certainly appertains to this one, the type having been taken in a 

 house in Madras. 



156. Sciunis tristriatus. 



WATERHOUSE, P. Z. S. 1839. 8. palmarum, var. b, dark variety, 

 ELLIOT, Cat. 42. BLYTH, Cat. 340. rodiei, and 8. Kelaarti, 

 LAYARD. 



