MOUSE-LEMURS. 221 



with liair, in the tops of the lofty trees where it delights to dwell. These nests 

 somewhat resemble those of a rook both in form and size, and are used not only 

 as diurnal resting-places but as cradles for the young. The species is remarkable for 

 the extreme beauty of its brilliant eyes. 



Mr. G. A. Shaw writes that the dwarf lemurs " inhabit a belt of forest-land 

 stretching from the eastern forest into the heart of Betsileo, a few miles north of 

 Fianarantsoa, where they are tolerably abundant. They live on the tops of the 

 highest trees, choosing invariably the smallest branches, where they collect a 



THE MURINE MOUSE-LESinR (i nat. size). 



quantity of dried leaves, and make what looks from below like a bird's-nest. So 

 close is the resemblance, that it requires good eyes to distinguish the one from 

 the other. Their food consists of fruit and insects, and most probabh" honey. I 

 have frequently seen them catching the flies that have entered their cage for 

 the honey; and I have supplied them with moths and butterflies, which they 

 have devoured with avidity. They are extremely shy and wild. Although 

 I have had between thirty and forty caged at different times, I have never 

 succeeded in taming one. They are also very quarrelsome, and fight very fiercely, 

 uttering a most piercing, penetrating sound, somewhat resembling a very shi-ill 

 whistle." 



