INDRI AND SIFAKA 



185 



Nearly allied are the sifakas, distinguished by their long tails, shorter muzzles, 

 and smaller ears. The largest of the three species is the diademed sifaka 

 (Propithecus diadema), which is about 40 inches in total length, of which the tail 

 occupies rather more than half, the dimensions of the head and body and of the 

 tail being 21 and 19 inches respectively. The specific name refers to the white 

 band on the forehead which joins the greyish white whiskers and beard to 

 surround the black face. The crown and back of the head down to the shoulders 





THE BABAKOTO. 



and chest are dark brown, the back is greyish, the outer sides of the limbs are 

 washed with orange, the extremities are black, and the undersurface is mainly 

 yellowish white. This sifaka inhabits the forests on the east and south of the 

 island, but there is a pale variety in the south and a dark one in the north. These 

 large lemurs live in small bands, and are completely diurnal in habit, being most 

 active in the morning and evening, and sheltering themselves in the forests during 

 the heat of the day. They are well adapted for arboreal life, progressing by means 

 of long leaps, and rarely coming to the ground, where it is difficult for them to 



