SCIURUS BICOLOR. 



It is more observable in the tawny specimens, and sometimes only occupies a small 

 space between the ears and the adjoining portion of the forehead. 



The under parts, in our variety of the Sciurus bicolor, are generally yellow ; 

 but the tint varies from a deep golden or fulvous to a light sulphureous, often passing 

 into Isabella-yellow. A defined line, of more intense hue, separates the dark colour 

 of the upper parts from the lighter tint of the lowei-, and in the external marks, 

 exhibits an approach to those species in which the sides are striated. The tint of 

 the light-coloured under parts commences at the extremity of the lower mandible, 

 and, including the throat, rises laterally, so as to embrace the cheeks, to meet the 

 boundary of the eyes, and to unite with the broad band which transversely crosses the 

 head. It then passes to the sides of the body in a line, commencing at the axillee, 

 and pursuing a regular course to the thighs. It spreads over the interior surface 

 of the fore legs, being separated from the dark upper parts by a well-defined 

 boundary. It also occupies the interior of the hind legs; but the separation is less 

 distinctly marked, and in some specimens the dark tint spreads over the whole of 

 the thighs and legs. The tail is dark at the base only, and in the remainder of its 

 length agrees with the under parts. 



In several specimens the tawny colour predominates throughout, and only small 

 patches of brown appear on the shoulders, the sides of the neck, and the base of the 

 tail, and in a few instances the colour of the upper parts is Isabella-yellow, with a 

 grayish cast, while the under parts are pale yellow, and scarcely any distinction of 

 colour is apparent above and underneath. These specimens differ greatly from the 

 Sciurus bicolor described by Sparrmann; and without the illustration afforded by a 

 numeroiis series, would be considered a distinct species. 



The ears are acute, of moderate size, covered with delicate hairs, and Avith- 

 out any brushlike appendages. The mustaches consist of numerous long, stiff, 

 bristly hairs, arising from the sides of the nose and the upper lips, and diverging 

 from the head. A small tuft of separate, short, stiff, black whiskers, pointing 

 backward, arises from the cheeks, about midway between the angle of the mouth 

 and the ears. The front teeth have a gallstone yeUow tint, inclining to orange : 

 the upper lip is deeply divided. In its general habit, as weU as in the form of 

 the head, and in the proportions of the neck and limbs, the Sciurus bicolor agrees 

 with the other large Indian Squirrels, and like these it also has a short, broad, obtuse 

 nail on the thumb, which has been aptly compared to that of several Monkies. 



