96 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



throughout the district. Their earths are situated as a rule 

 in open fields and have several openings to them. This pretty 

 little Fox is by no means shy, and often comes close to houses. 

 Their cry is a chattering bark, and during the breeding season 

 they make a squealing (or half snarl, half squeal) sound quite 

 unlike their usual cry. They are at this time very bold, and on 

 one occasion a vixen with cubs turned on a dog which was 

 chasing her and caused him to beat a hasty retreat ; twice this 

 performance was repeated. The] young are born from February 

 to April. They do not appear to live on carrion as does the 

 Jackal, but on fruit and large locusts; the wings and legs of 

 these insects I have often seen scattered about the mouth of 

 their burrows. I once saw one which deliberately deceived 

 myself and the dogs by appearing to be lame and limping on 

 three legs until the dogs were within a few yards ; then it went 

 off at full speed, proving there was nothing wrong with it. 



Mustela flavigula, Bodd. (Indian Marten). — One was killed 

 at Hattowrie Factory in April, 1898, and two at Dalsingh Serai 

 in May, 1900. These animals had a most unpleasant odour, 

 which was perceptible many yards distant from where they lay. 



Lutra vulgaris, Erxl. (Common Otter). — Common, especially 

 so round Hattowrie and Russelpur. A dog Otter, killed at 

 Hattowrie in May, 1901, was lying in a drain near a small 

 pond and was driven out by the dogs. Two half-grown young 

 were caught in the reeds of Hattowrie Lake in the same month. 

 They were very fierce and bit furiously when handled. A fine 

 male, killed at Russelpur Factory in November, 1898, weighed 

 28 lb. When taken very young they are easily tamed, and some 

 of the natives train them to catch fish. 



Crocidura ccerulea, Kerr (Grey Musk Shrew). — This little 

 animal, commonly known to Anglo-Indians as " Musk Rat," 

 is very plentiful. They are common in most dwelling-houses. 

 Their cry is very sharp and ear-piercing. They have a curious 

 habit of running round the room as close to the walls as possible. 

 Their food appears to consist of insects, but some naturalists 

 have said they will eat frogs and young birds. 



Pteropus medius, Temm. (Indian Fruit Bat). — Very common 

 during the rainy season, but I have not often noticed it during the 

 cold weather. Numbers used to come to Dalsingh Serai Factory 



