368 



v KUTior. I; ATA. 



had red eyes, and appeared to be an albino: it was of a dull reddish-white, marked with three 

 very taint Btripe9 of a still lighter hue. They were presented to the society in 1828, and are 

 represented in the above engraving. 



The palm-squirrels, which derive their name from being often seen on palm-trees, are common 

 in Easl [ndian towns and villages, often being seen running about the roofs of houses and old 

 walls. The female places her young in holes of the latter. They are great destroyers of fruit, 

 and arc very familiar, entering houses to pick up the crumbs. They arc easily tamed, and 

 become interesting pets. They live in holes in the ground, but are exceedingly fond of running 

 about on elevated places, on the roofs of lofty houses and tall trees. Pennant states that Gov- 

 ernor Loten informed him that they lived much in the cocoa-tree, and were very fond of the 

 S /, or palm-wine, which is procured from it; on this account it obtained, among the Indians, 

 the name of Suricatsje, or the Little Cat of the Sury. 



*m. 



THE TAMIA STRIATA. 



The Burunduk, Tamias striata, called Ruyeriik by the Tartars, is found in the northern parts 

 of Europe and Asia. It is about five inches long, and of a fawn-color above, striped with five 

 brown and two white hands; beneath, it is white. It is more wild than the preceding, and 

 though it is lively, it has not the agility of the squirrel. It seldom climbs trees, except to escape 

 an enemy or secure some favorite fruit. It makes its burrow below the roots of trees, in which 

 it stores nuts and dry fruits. It is said, also, to fill other magazines in the same way. In trans- 

 porting its supplies, it uses its ample cheek-pouches. Its nest is well lined with soft grass, and 

 we may suppose it passes the winter comfortably, though confined to its underground home. 

 It has a great resemblance in size, appearance, and habits to our little chip-squirrel, and 

 has been considered of the same species by some authors; but recent examinations seem to ren- 

 der it highly probable that it is a distinct species. 



Other foreign species of Tamias are the Burrowing-Squirrel, Sciurus fossor, of Senegal, 

 with several other species found in Abyssinia; Lary's Squirrel, Sciurus insignis, of Java and 

 Sumatra; Delessbrt's Squirrel, Sciurus JJelessertii, of Hindostan. 



Of tie- American species of Tamias, the Sciurus Lystcri, the well known Chipping-Sqiirrei . 

 or Btripko Squirrel, the Hackee, or ChijJ-muck of the United States, the Ohiohin of the llui 

 the Striped Dormouse of iVnnant, is the most interesting. Its color is brownish-gray above, with 

 five longitudinal black Btripes and two yellowish-white ones along the back; the under surfac< 

 white; tin- length of the head and body is about six and a half inches; the tail, with the fur, I 

 and a half. It lives in holes in the earth, and is usually seen on the ground, or on roeks. fei 

 and Btumps, and ;- hence often called the Ground-S<juirn I. Though not becoming tame up": 

 domestication, and being often seen in the most solitary woods and forests, it is even more » 

 mon near the abodes of men, especially in the villages, where it may be seen around the farm- 

 and gardens, and even running along the fences of the streets. It is not swift, but is lively and 

 playful, and though careful not to allow a very close approach, it will come out of its holes 

 look at a stranger, and often pursue its avocations without being disturbed by his presence. 



