182 aectomydiNjK. 



the Tibet side, never at a lower elevation than 12,000 feet; often up to 

 16,000 feet. It burrows in the ground, living in small societies, and 

 feeding on roots and vegetables. It lifts its food to its mouth with its 

 fore-feet. It is easily tamed. One was brought alive to Calcutta some 

 years ago, and did not appear, says Mr. Blyth, to be distressed by 

 the heat of that place. It was quite tamed and fearless, and used to 

 make a loud chattering cachinnation. It was fond of collecting grass, 

 &c., and carrying it to its den. Travellers and sportsmen often meet 

 with this marmot, and speak of its sitting up in groups and sud- 

 denly disappearing into their burrows. The cured skins form an im- 

 portant article of commerce, and are brought to Nepal, and in great 

 numbers to China. 



169. Arctomys hemachalanus. 



Hodgson, olim A. tibetanus. — Sammiong, Lepch. — Chipi, Bhot. — 

 Drun of Kashmir. 



The Red Marmot. 



Descr. — General color dark-gray with a full rufous tinge, which is rusty 

 and almost ochreous red on the sides of the head, ears and Kmbs, especially 

 in summer ; bridge of the nose and last inch of the tail dusky brown ; 

 head and body above strongly mixed with black, which hue equals or 

 exceeds the pale one on these parts ; claws long ; pelage softer and fuller 

 than in the last. 



Length, head and body about 13 inches ; tail 5^. 



This species is not fully recognised, and Blyth states that the specimens 

 of the Asiatic Society did not enable him to determine the point. Hodg- 

 son, however, insists on their distinction, and some skins which I saw at 

 Darjeehng inchne me to consider this a distinct species. The Lepchas 

 distinguish the Tibet marmot from this one by a prefix, signifying moun- 

 tain, from its occurring at higher elevations. Adams moreover distin- 

 guishes the two, stating of this one that it is found at elevations varying 

 from 8,000 to 10,000 feet in Kashmir and the North-west Himalayas, 

 inhabiting fertile and secluded spots, forming burrows on gentle slopes 

 among stones, and emitting a loud wailing cry. 



Hodgson kept some of this species in his garden for sometime. They 



