352 Rough Notes on the Zoology of Candahar. [No. 161. 



the foregoing: claws of moderate length, sharp and whitish. This 

 specimen was smaller than the other two, and appeared to carry the 

 back more arched than they did. It was found in the neighbour- 

 hood of " Shah Fareed," on the left bank of the Garrah. It is not 

 unlike the European Hedgehog. 19 



The habits of all three were the same. They are nocturnal, and 

 during the day conceal themselves in holes or in the tufts of high 

 jungle grass. Their food consists of insects, chiefly of a small beetle 

 which is abundant on the sandy tracts of Bhawulpore, and belongs to 

 the genus Blaps, They also feed on lizards and snails. When 

 touched, they have the habit of suddenly jerking up the back with 

 some force, so as to prick the fingers or mouth of the assailant, and at 

 the same time emitting a blowing sound, not unlike the noise pro- 

 duced when blowing upon a flame with a pair of bellows. When 

 alarmed they have the power of rolling themselves up into a com- 

 plete ball, concealing the head and limbs as does the European 

 Hedgehog. On hearing any noise, it jerks the skin and quills of the 

 neck completely over its head, leaving only the tip of the nose free, 

 which is turned quickly in every direction to ascertain the nature of 

 the approaching danger. If a foe in reality come nigh it, the head is 

 instantly doubled under the belly towards the tail, and the legs being 

 withdrawn at the same time, it presents nothing but a prickly ball 

 to its assailant, and which is in most cases a sufficient protection. 

 In this state it remains for some time perfectly motionless, until all 

 being quiet and the danger past, it ventures first slowly, and almost 

 imperceptibly, to exsert the nose, the nostrils working quickly as if to 

 ascertain that all is safe again. It then gradually uncoils until the 

 eyes are left free, and if satisfied that its foe has passed on, it opens up 

 and walks off with a quick but unsteady gait; or if again startled by 

 the slightest noise near it, it is instantly entrenched within its thorny 

 armour. They use the snout much in the same manner as the hog 

 does, turning up the leaves and grasses in search of food, and shoving 

 each other out of the way with it when angry. They make a grunt- 

 ing sort of noise when irritated. They are remarkably tenacious of 



19. The description of this third specimen applies very well to other specimens, which 

 1 have referred to E, collaris, Gray. — Cur. As, Soc. 



