406 On a new Species of Pteromys. 



tirement, some deep hole in the decayed trunk of a tree. 

 It may then be seen, pausing for awhile as if but half awake, 

 washing its face in the manner of a cat, and cleaning scru- 

 pulously its fur ; presently after which, it commences its 

 nocturnal rambles, visiting the jamoon, bur, peepul, keond, 

 pial, or any other jungle fruit tree that happens to be 

 in season, also the mangoe and mowhooa. It also de- 

 vours the bark of one or two species of trees, of which I 

 have only been told the Kole name; and will also readily 

 capture and eat larva and beetles. It does not feed on 

 grain of any kind, nor hoard provision, which is an instinc- 

 tive trait in the Sciurines of cold countries, exposed to vi- 

 cissitudes in the supply of provision. I suppose no animal 

 in India, or in any plentifully supplied country, hoards pro- 

 visions ? It drinks water freely by lapping. They tell you 

 that the squirrel in England never drinks. I do not remem- 

 ber the fact one way or the other, but the Oral drinks 

 heartily, and so does the Kondeng, (Sc. maximus,) and the 

 little Gilheree, (Sc. palmarum.) 



The voice of the Oral is very seldom heard. It is a 

 weak, low, soft monotone quickly repeated — so low, that 

 in the same room you require to listen attentively to dis- 

 tinguish it. It is to the Koles, a sound ominous of domestic 

 afflictions, and one of the signs they regard much in their 

 marriage negociations, so this pretty, gentle little creature 

 gets a bad name. When angry the Oral seldom bites, but 

 scratches with its fore-claws, grunting at the same time 

 like a guinea pig. Its nature is gentle and slothful. 



Young, 8fCt — The female is smaller, slightly, than the 

 male, but does not differ in colour or appearance. The 

 young are born naked, but not blind, and generally two or 

 three in number ; they are slow of growth considering the 

 size of the animal, and when born are not above the size of 

 a largish mouse. The male and female pair from the set- 

 ting in of the rains, nearly all through the cold weather. 



