472 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [No. 5. 



The three species of Squirrel sent are the large Sciurus bicolor, — 

 Sc. Keraudrenii,— and Sc. pygerythrus. The first abounds through- 

 out the Burmese countries and the Malayan peninsula, and northward to 

 the Asam hills and those of Sikim and Nepal : but its pale variety we 

 have only seen from the Malayan peninsula. Himalayan specimens (Sc. 

 macrouroides, Hodgson,) have longer fur on the ears, but present no fur- 

 ther difference that we can perceive ; and even this may be merely 

 seasonal. Sc. Keraudrenii is common in Arakan : and we recognise in 

 Sc. pygerythrus a species formerly sent from Rangoon by Dr. Fayrer, 

 being the supposed variety of Sc. lokroides noticed in J. A. S. XXII, 

 414, and distinct from the presumed variety of Sc. pygerythrus formerly 

 sent by Major Phayre from Moulmein, which is described J. A. S. XVII, 

 345, and may now stand as Sc. Phayrei, nobis, n. s* 



* The multiplicity of small Squirrels with mostly annulated or grizzled fur, 

 inhabiting the Burmese and neighbouring countries, are most difficult to discri- 

 minate. Of the group of gigantic Squirrels, there is only Sc. bicolor (and its 

 pale variety in the Malayan peninsula) ; and of that of small striped Squirrels, 

 only Sc. Berdmorei, nobis (/. A. S. XVIII, 603), and Sc. Barbei, nobis 

 (/. A. 8. XVI, 875), that we know of as yet, — though Sc. insignis, Horsfield, 

 is likely to inhabit the more elevated interior of the Malayan peninsula : but the 

 other small and medium-sized Squirrels seem almost interminable ; and we have 

 the following series in our museum, which may be briefly indicated with advantage, 

 for the benefit of students. 



1. Sc. Rafflesii, Vigors and Horsfield : Sc. Prevostii, Desmarest. Larger 

 than Sc. hippurus. Black above, deep rufo-ferruginous below and on the feet ; 

 a very broad white lateral band from mouth to haunch, extending over the outside 

 of the thigh, and more or less greyish from cheek to shoulder (inclusive) : tail of 

 a somewhat duller black than the back, and a little rufescent at tip. Inhabits the 

 Malayan peninsula. 



Remark. A nearly affined race inhabits Borneo, which is the Sc. redimitus, 

 Van der Boon, and when half- grown — Sc. mfogularis, Gray, erroneously (in all pro- 

 bability) supposed from China. This race has blackish cheeks and rufous shoulders ; 

 a grizzled band, formed of whitish-tipped hairs, above the white lateral band, and 

 this grizzling is continued over the haunch and hind-limb: the tail also is much 

 grizzled with white, in a specimen presented by the Batavian Society to our museum. 

 Of very numerous examples of Sc. Rafflesii (from the Malayan peninsula) 

 examined, we have observed no remarkable variation, nor tendency to assume the 

 distinctive colouring of Sc. redimitus : but Sc. rufoniger, Gray, is probably a 

 mere individual variety of the former, especially as Malacca is given as its habitat. 

 It is thus briefly described :— " Black ; throat, inner side of legs, and beneath, 

 bright red ; an indistinct streak along each side, and the outer side of the thigh, 

 white, grizzled." Ann. Mag. N. H. X, 263 (1842). 



