TREE-SHRE WS. 



313 



The largest member of the group is the Bornean tree-shrew (Tivpaia iana). 

 They may be found in clumps of trees as well as in forests ; and, in addition to 

 their resemblance to squirrels in appearance, they simulate those animals very 

 closely in their movements, as they may not unfrequently be seen sitting upon 

 their hind-quarters and hoMing their fooil in their fore-paws. Their food consists 

 of insects and fruit ; and although insects are usually sought on trees, tree-shrews 

 may sometimes be seen hunting for food on the ground. 



The Madras tree-shrew {T. ellioti), which is found in the forests of the greater 

 pai't of Peninsular India to the southward of the plains of the Indus and Ganges, 

 is a well-known species, of which the head and body measure from 7 to 8 inches 

 in length, while the tail (including the hair) is about an inch longer. From the 

 fact of several of this species having been met with by Prof. Ball lying dead 

 in the jungle, it would seem that a fate similar to that which overtakes at 



THE cu.MMON TKEE-SHUEW (^ nat. sizej. 



certain times of the year our common Engli.sh shrew also befalls the tupaias. 

 The Malay tree-shrew (T. ferruginea) is a rather smaller species, with a nuich 

 wider distribution, extending from Assam and the Eastern Himalaya (where it is 

 found at elevations of from three thousand to six thousand feet) to Burma and the 

 Malayan Islands. 



Of the Malayan species. General M'Master writes, that it " is a 

 harmless little animal, in the dry season living in trees, and in the 

 monsoon entering our houses, and in impudent familiarity taking the place held 

 in India by the common palm-squirrel; it is, however, probably from its rat-like 

 head and thievish expression, very unpopular. I cannot," he adds, " endorse 

 Jerdon's statement as to their exti-aordinary agility, for they did not appear to' me 

 to be nearly as active as squirrels ; at least I remember one of my terriers on two 



