SCIUBU3 TEISTEIATUS. 171 



along the whole length of the back, and two fainter lines on each side ; 

 beneath whitish ; tail with the hairs variegated with red and black ; ears 

 rounded. 



Length about 13 to ll inches, of which the tail is nearly half. 

 This well known little squirrel is common throughout the whole penin- 

 sula of India, except in some parts of Malabar, and the north-eastern part 

 of Bengal ; and from its famiUarity and shrill voice is quite a pest at times, 

 especially to invalids. It does not occur out of India, nor in Ceylon. It 

 enters houses freely, picking up crumbs, grains of rice, &c., and, indeed, 

 often has its permanent abode in bungalows and out-houses, building its 

 nest on the eaves, rafters, and in the thatch. It resorts much to the 

 ground for its food, and it is often carried off by the dwarf-eagle, Aguila 

 pennata, which stoops on it when thus employed. It usually constructs 

 a bulky nest of grass, wool, cotton, &c., which it takes no pains to conceal 

 among the branches of -trees, or in the eaves of houses, on cornices, &c. 

 Why it was named the " palm squirrel " has often puzzled the Indian na- 

 turalist, for though occasionally seen on pahn trees it is so exceedingly 

 rarely. The female has from two to four young at a birth. Mr. Blyth 

 has noticed that the call of this squirrel, but more particularly that of the 

 next closely-allied one, reminded him of the chirping of birds, which, says 

 he, is also noticed of the allied form Tamias. 



This squirrel is easily caught in a common rat trap. If taken when 

 young it becomes very tame. Great numbers used to be taken at Trichi- 

 nopoly, and the skins very nicely tanned for sale to Europeans. An 

 Indian legend runs that when Hunaman was crossing the Ganges, it 

 was bridged over by all the animals. A small gap remained which was 

 filled by this squirrel, and when Hunaman passed over, he placed his 

 hand on the squirrel's back, and the marks of his five fingers remained 

 ever since on its back. When alarmed the hairs of its tail are erected at 

 right angles, like a bottle brush. 



Gray has applied the synonym of 8. penicillatus to the next species but 

 it certainly appertains to this one, the type having been taken in a house 

 in Madras. 



156. Sciurus tristriatus. 



Watbrhodsb, p. Z. S. 1839. — S. palmarum, var. b., dark variety, 

 Elliot, Cat. 42. — Blyth, Cat. 340. — S. brodiei, and ^S*. kelaarti 

 Layabd. 



