176* COMMON JERBOA. 



and the Volga, where Dr. Pallas examined his 

 specimens ; for this animal, like the Alagtaga or 

 next described species, appears to inhabit very 

 distant and dissimilar regions, occurring not only 

 in many parts of Africa, but in the eastern parts 

 of Siberia, c. c. It also appears from the ob^ 

 servations of Dr. Pallas, that the two species, viz. 

 the Common Jerboa and the Alagtaga, never 

 inhabit the same spots, or intermix, but keep per- 

 fectly distinct or separate from each other. 



The usual length of the common Jerboa, from 

 nose to tail, is about seven inches and a quarter : 

 the tail is about ten inches long, of a form rather 

 inclining to square than cylindric, and of the 

 same colour with the body, but terminated by an 

 elegant, flattish, oval tuft of black hair, with a 

 white tip. On each side the nose are situated 

 several very long hairs or whiskers, as is usual 

 in most animals of this tribe : the cutting-teeth 

 are sharp and strong, and resemble those of a rat. 

 In its attitudes and manner of progression this 

 animal resembles a bird ; generally standing, like 

 the Kangaroo, on its hind feet, and leaping with 

 much celerity, and to a great distance : but some- 

 times it sets its fore feet to the ground for a mo- 

 ment or two, and then recovers its former atti- 

 tude. It principally uses the fore legs in feeding; 

 pulling to its mouth the ears of corn, and various 

 other vegetable substances on which it feeds. It 



o 



inhabits subterraneous holes, which it either pre- 

 pares itself, or finds ready excavated, in the dry, 

 stony, and sandy deserts in which it resides. 



