GEKBILLFS. 899 



Indus and Eajputana, where its holes are found everywhere, especi- 

 ally at the roots of bushes amongst the sand-hills. It is commonly 

 seen out in the day, in the cold season at all events, and is by no 

 means shy. It feeds on various seeds, especially the nuts of Salva- 

 dora jJersica, and on roots. 



266. Gerhillus erythrura. The Afghan GerUlle. 



Gerbillus erytbroura, Gray, A. M. N. H. x, p. 266 (1842) ; Hutton, 

 J. A. S. B. XV, p. 139 ; Blanford, Eastern Persia, ii, p. 70. 



Nostrils partly covered by a fleshy pad. Tail about equal to 

 the head and body. Ears rounded, moderate, hairy outside. 

 Planta covered with hair except a narrow band along proximal 

 part of inner margin. Eur soft, moderately long. Transverse 

 folds of anterior upper molar united in the middle at an early 

 stage of wear. Bullae very large. 



Colour light sandy brown above, white below, the two passing 

 gradually into each other on the sides. Some specimens are 

 pale rufous above. Basal two thirds of the dorsal hair dark ashy. 

 A few long black-tipped hairs on the lower back. Eeet sullied 

 white above. A pale band above the eye, extending to the ear. 

 Tail more or less rufous-brown, not banded, uniformly coloured 

 all round to near the tip, when long blackish hair comes in at first 

 above and afterwards throughout. 



Dimensions. An adult male in spirit measures : head and body 

 4" 75 inches, tail without hair 4-75, with hair 5-5, ear from head 

 0*45, hind foot 1'3. A skull measures : basal length 1'35, zygomatic 

 breadth 0-95. 



Distrihution. Throughout an extensive area in Afghanistan and 

 Southern Persia, keeping to considerable elevations. I shot speci- 

 mens at Mehtarzai near Quetta, where the species was obtained 

 by Hutton. 



Habits. This species, like G. hurrianoi, makes its holes at the 

 roots of bushes or in sandy banks and mounds, generally in semi- 

 deserted tracts, but often near habitations. The animals may be 

 seen out feeding at all hours of the day in the cold season. 



267. Gerbillus nanus. The little GerUlle. 



Gerbillus uanus, W. Blanford, A. M. N. H. (4) xvi, p. 315 (1875) ; 

 id. Eastern Persia, ii, p. 72, pi. v, fig. 1. 



Nostrils inferior in position, partly covered by the t:dout. Tail 

 long, more than one and a half times the length of the head and 

 body. Proximal half of planta smooth, naked ; distal half granular, 

 with scattered hairs and bearing three pairs of pads. Two meta- 

 carpal pads. Vibrissoe very long. Ears oval, thinly furred. 



Colour pale fawn above, white below, the two colours blending. 

 Dorsal hairs ashy grey for basal two thirds. Tail light brown 



