IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 117 



muzzle and eye almost black; the expanded membrane is yellow near 

 the back and orange red towards the external margin ; the yellow of the 

 membrane extends over the shoulder ; the limbs orange red ; the tail 

 orange red, broadly tipped with black ; the under parts are pale orange 

 red ; total length of the body about 16 inches, tail 22 inches. 



Hab. — Himalayas from Nepal to Sikhim; has also been received 

 from the Khasia Hills. The specimen living in the garden was obtained 

 near Darjeeling. 



Length or life in captivity. 



Living since 1880. 



(132) THE GBEY FLYING SQUIBKEL. 



(SCIUEOPTEEUS FIMBRIATUS— Gray.) 



Of a pale greyish colour above, hair on the outer edge of the hind 

 foot thick and bushy, extending from the tarsal joint to the base of the 

 fifth toe. 



Hab. — North-West Himalayas from Grilgit to Kumaon. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 About three years. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — The frame work of a squirrel's cage should be made of T 

 or angle iron, as wooden posts are generally gnawed through, especially 

 by larger species. The netting used should be woven of stout galvanized 

 ■wire, of small enough mesh to prevent the smaller squirrels escaping ; 

 the size of the cage should be at least 4 feet square. A series of such 

 cages built on a platform about 3 feet high under a permanent shed or 

 chabutra is, perhaps, the best accommodation that can be assigned them. 

 The platform may be either a brick-built one with ventilators below, or 

 made of 1 inch thick planks resting on posts ; the partition of the cages 

 should also be made of planks, with holes here and there for ventilation. 

 Each cage should be provided with a retiring box fastened to the parti- 

 tion wall a few inches below the roof. A bedding of hay or straw, both 

 inside the box and on the floor of the cage, will be much appreciated 

 by the animals ; avoid wet, damp, and cold. The cages for flying 

 squirrels should be larger and higher, with dark corners for the animals 

 to retire during the day. A thick tuft of jute or hemp hung from 

 a corner of the roof, some balls, or an ordinary wheeled bar, logs of wood, 

 will give them occupation and enjoyment. 



Food. — Fruits, nuts, biscuits, gram, Indian-corn, and other grains 

 and vegetables. Soft food should be avoided as much as possible ; clean 

 drinking-water always. 



Breeding. — Except the common striped species, squirrels have not 

 bred in this garden : they rarely breed in captivity. 



