Habits. 



JUMPING MICE AND JERBOAS. 115 



through Lower Egypt to Oran in Algeria. There are, however, numerous other 

 species of the genus, some of which inhabit Eastern Persia and Central Asia. 



The name of two-legged mouse was applied to the Egyptian jer- 

 boa on account of the fore-legs being applied so closely to the chest 

 when the animal is jumping that it has an almost bird-like appearance. The home 

 of this species is arid and desert districts, where the ground consists solely of sand 

 and pebbles, and the vegetation is so scant that it is a marvel that even such a tiny 

 creature can find the wherewithal to live. Here it lives in companies, frequently 

 of considerable size, in association with sand-grouse, the small desert-lark, the cream- 

 coloured courser, and various lizards. So exactly does the colour of the jerboa 

 harmonise with its surroundings, that when at a short distance it is scarcely 

 possible to recognise the presence of a living creature. Although very abundant, 

 it is, from its extreme shyness, but seldom seen. Like its kindred, this jerboa 



THE AFRICAN JUMPING HARE (nat. size). 



is essentially a nocturnal animal ; but it generally comes out to feed before sun- 

 down, while it not unfrequently sits at the mouth of its hole, or a short distance 

 off, even in the full sunshine. It digs a burrow in the hard gravelly soil with its 

 fore-feet, aided sometimes by its incisor teeth ; these burrows generally having four 

 entrances. According to Arab reports, the whole colony take part in the construc- 

 tion of the burrows ; and at the slightest sound the animals immediately take 

 refuge in their retreats. In walking gently the jerboa moves one foot after the 

 other, but directly the pace is quickened, it progresses by means of leaps ; and so 

 rapid are then its movements, that travellers liken them to the flight of a bird. 

 When leaping, the tail is carried stuck out nearly straight behind. The jerboa is 

 very impatient of rain and damp ; and when such conditions are prevalent it 

 relapses into a kind of torpid condition, analogous to the hibernation of species 

 inhabiting more northern regions. 



