PTEBOMTS PETAUHISTA. 175 



P. oral, TicKELL, Calc. J. N. H. 2, pi. XI.— OraZ of the Coles.— Pa/rya, 

 Mahr. of Ghats. — Parachaten, Mai. (Buch. Hamilton). 



The Bkown Flying-squirrel. 



Descr. — Upper parts dusky-maroon black grizzled with white, the 

 membrane and limbs above somewhat brighter and more rufous ; the feet, 

 the muzzle, and round the eyes, and terminal half of the tail, dark brown 

 or black, the last sometimes with a little white towards the tip ; under parts 

 dingy brownish-gray or nearly white. Mr. Elliot calls its upper color a 

 beautiful gray, caused by the intermixture of black with white and dusky 

 hairs. The male is distinguished by an irregular patch of rufous on the 

 sides of the neck, which in the female is a sort of pale fawn. 



Length, head and body 20 inches ; tail 21 ; breadth 24. 



The female has six mammae, two pectoral, and four ventral. 



This flying squirrel is found throughout the peninsula of India wherever 

 there are extensive lofty forests. I have observed it in Malabar, in Tra- 

 vancore, where very abundant ; in the forest of Bustar in Central India, 

 and in the Vindhian mountains, near Mhow ; and I have seen specimens 

 from the Northern Circars. It also extends from the Midnapore jungles 

 through great part of Central India. It is found in Ceylon. It frequents 

 the loftiest trees in the thickest parts of the forests, and is quite nocturnal 

 in its habits, usually making its appearance when quite dusk. The natives 

 discover its whereabouts by noting the droppings beneath the trees it 

 frequents. It is said to keep in holes of trees during the day, and breeds 

 in the same places. In the Wynaad many are killed, and a few captured 

 alive by the Coorumbars, a jungle race of aborigines who are usually em- 

 ployed to fell the forest trees in clearing for coffee ; and I have had several 

 sent to me alive, caught in this way, but could not keep them for any 

 time. It lives chiefly on fruits of various kinds, also on bark, shoots, &c. ; 

 and Tickell says, " occasionally on beetles and the larvas of insects." Mr, 

 Elliot says, " it is very gentle, timid, and may be tamed, but from its 

 delicacy is difficult to preserve." 



Tickell also states, that " when taken young it becomes a most engaging 

 pet. It can be reared on goat's or cow's milk, and in about three weeks 

 will begin to nibble fruit of any kind. During the day it sleeps much, either 

 sitting with its back bent into a circle, and its head thrust down to its 

 belly, or lying on its back with the legs and parachute extended, a posi- 



