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 
Habits. 




THE AFRICAN JUMPING HARE (E 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. 
