486 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIV. 



thick mists floating up the valley every evening made shooting very diffi- 

 cult. This flying squirrel is more plentiful in the Nepal border. In my 

 opinion it is not found below 6,000 feet ; the extent of its upper range is 

 probably governed entirely by the food supply. 



I devoted much time to the search but failed to locate this species at 

 Gangtok or in the Lachen Valley. 



By moonlight I saw a number near Sukiapokhri but they seemed to be 

 tinusually shy and I rarely heard them call. 



By means of small fires in the jungle I attracted them occasionally to 

 the neighbouring trees but they generally remained so quiet among the 

 thick foliage that I was unable to find them. I believe flying squirrels 

 could be collected with the aid of an acetylene lamp." — 0. A. C. 



(46) Pteromys alboniger. 



The Parti-coloured Flying Squirrel. 



(Synonymy in No. 20.) 



(^2, 1 (not sexed, no skull), Chuntang ; .3 (not sexed, no skulls), 

 Singhik ; S 1 (skull in), Pashok. 



"Vernacular names: Kim (Lepcha) ; Pyampio (Bhotia) ; Eaj-Punki 

 (Pahari) . 



About 5,000 feet is probably the upper limit of the range of this flying 

 squirrel. It moves higher or lower in the valleys according to the supply 

 of food, for in places it is said to be plentiful only at certain seasons. The 

 natives assert that it builds a large nest of twigs and grass placed high up 

 in the fork of a tree. It is more likely that the nests referred to are those 

 of Batufa, as both species are found on the same ground, and it is likely 

 that the flying squirrels take possession of discarded nests." — C. A. C. 



(47) Eatufa gigantea, McOl. 



The Assain Giant Squirrel. 



(Synonymy in No. 14.) 



2 1, Rongli ; d 1, 2 2, Dikchu ; J 3, Pashok ; d 1, 2 1, Sukia- 

 pokhri ; (5 2, 21, Norbong; J 2, 2 i, Sivok. 



" Vernacular names : Aharyna (Bhotia); Mal Sampra (Pahari). 



Tins squirrel is usually found in pairs and is not gregarious. It is more 

 plentiful between the Terai and the low valleys up to about 3,000 feet, 

 being particularly partial to the dense tall jungle bordering rivers. 



It has the loud clacking note common to most squirrels but calls only on 

 rare occasions. It is an extremely active climber and as a rule is wary, 

 making ofl' and hiding in the thick foliage immediately danger is feared." 

 — C. A. 0. 



(48) Callosciurtjs crxjmpi, Wr. 

 Cru7np's Squirrel. 



1916. Callosciurus crunijn, Wroughton, Journ. B.N.H.S., Vol. XXIV., p. 424. 

 (5 4, 2 4, Sedonchen. 



This species does not markedly difl'er from the forms of the erythrceus 

 group until the under surface is exposed when the fine grizzling not 

 markedly difl'ering from the flanks is a great contrast to the various shades 

 of red in all the members of tl>at group. There is an area about the inguinal 

 region where the normal colouring is indicated. It is not surprising that 

 a squirrel from such a high elevation should show considerable variation 

 from its allies of the low-lands. 



"Vernacular names : Kulli (Lepcha); Zham (Bhotia); Lothorki (Pahari). 



