NOTES ON A COLLECTION OF LIVING MAMMALS. 183 



My example is very playful and inquisitive ; as, however, it 

 endeavours to show goodwill by inflicting friendly bites, advances 

 are not encouraged, since it hurts to have a piece taken out of 

 one's finger, even if only in fun. These animals will play with a 

 bit of paper, dragging it through the wires and tearing it into 

 bits. Everything is seized in the mouth rather than pounced on 

 with the paws. In taking food, the Grison first sniffs at it, then 

 suddenly grips it with its teeth and squats down to feed, holding 

 it between the paws. During the daytime my specimen lies 

 concealed in its sleeping box, thrusting out its inquisitive head 

 on any noise being made, and ready on the slightest encourage- 

 ment to run up to the wires, — absolute fearlessness seems to be 

 part of its character. Although the Grison makes an interesting 

 and novel pet, it is not one to be handled carelessly. Should 

 any reader of the ' Zoologist ' ever possess one of these rare 

 Mustelines, he may feed it on raw meat and fowls' heads like 

 the preceding animals.* 



Eodentia. 



Sciurus sp. ? (Black Squirrel). — This active little creature is 

 not only pleasing by reason of its vivacity, but is also handsome 

 in appearance, being blackish brown above and white below ; the 

 ear-tufts and tail are sable and very fine. These animals, when 

 recently captured, are nervous and timid, growling if disturbed, 

 and even rushing at the hand of an intruder. They will also 

 bite sharply if incautiously handled. Black Squirrels utter a 

 curious noise, apparently indicating pleasure, when gambolling 

 about on the branches with which their cage should always be 

 provided. Like most rodents, they are very destructive to wood- 

 work, which should be protected by sheet iron. They will eat 

 apples, bread, and dry food, such as Indian corn. 



Cynomys ludovicianus (Prairie Dog). — Perhaps the best way 

 of keeping Prairie Dogs is to place them in a paved enclosure, 

 the stone floor of which will resist all attempts at escape. A 

 quantity of suitable earth may then be heaped up on the im- 

 penetrable flooring, and thus afford the animals an opportunity 

 of constructing their own burrows, and leading a semi-natural 



* The Grison here described was purchased by the Zoological Society 

 on April 26th, and may now be seen in the Small Cats' House at the 

 Society's gardens, 



