202 MUBIN^. 



tHe hairs with inconspicuous black tips, under parts white, abruptly divided 

 from the upper color, sometimes yellowish-white. Muzzle rather sharp ; 

 ears long ; tail long : Like M. i-ufescens, but smaller, with proportionally 

 longer tail and softer fur. 



Length of one, head and body 6 inches ; tail 7| ; hind-feet 1 J. 



Blyth has recently identified Hodgson's species with the one described 

 by himself from Burmah. Hodgson's specimens were from Nepal. I 

 procured one or two individuals at Darjeeling. Those ifrom Nepal are 

 said by Blyth to be " much darker than those from Burmah, but otherwise 

 similar." This is considered by Blyth as one of the best marked species 

 of this group. The only other rat of this section noticed by Blyth is 

 Mus concolor, Blyth, the "common small thatch-rat of Pegu and Tenas- 

 serim." He states, however, that Mus palmarum, Scherzer, from tha 

 Nicobar islands, probably belongs to this group. 



Another group consists of some small arboreal, long-tailed mice, diminu- 

 tives of the last, which constitute the genus Vandeleuria of Gray. This he 

 characterizes as having the upper incisors triangular, grooved in front, 

 ears hairy, hind-feet very long, slender, claws small; tail long, with 

 scattered hairs, more crowded at the tip ; the fur soft with long bristles 

 interspersed. 



184. Mus oleraceus' 



Sykes. — Blyth, Cat. p. 120. — Elliot, Cat. 37. — M. dumeticola, 

 and M. povensis, HonasoN. — Marad ilei, Can. — Mdna yelka, Tel. of 

 Yanadees. 



Thk Long-tailed Tree-mouse. 



Descr. — Above light rufous or pale chesnut ; lips, feet, and lower parts, 

 pure white ; tail almost nude, very long ; muzzle slightly rounded ; head 

 of moderate length ; ears ovate. 



Length of one, head and body, 2\ inches ; tail 4 ; of another 3 ; tail 

 4i ; another measured 3 ; tail 4-5?„ ; head 1 ; ears \. 



This very pretty little mouse has been found in all parts of India from 

 the Himalayas to the extreme south, but is not recorded from Ceylon. 

 I have found it most abundant in the south of India, where it frequents 

 trees, and very commonly palm trees, on which it is said to make its nest 

 generally. It, however, occasionally places its nest in the thatch of houses, 

 on beams, &c. It is very active and from its habits difficult to procure. 



