120 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



Food. — In addition to such articles of food as are mentioned under 

 the squirrel, these animals should have grass and roots. 



Observations on the habits of Prairie Marmots. 

 These animals are fond of living together, and are extremely wary, 

 shy and quick in their movements. They burrow with astonishing 

 rapidity, and their power of deep mining was tested by placing 

 about a dozen of them inside a kiosk, of which the foundation walls 

 were sunk some 6 feet deep to prevent their digging out. The result, 

 however, proved the utter futility of the precaution, which was, of course, 

 adopted in ignorance of their habit of deep digging. 



(136) THE COMMON DOEMOUSE. 

 (MYOXUS AVELLANARIUS— {Linn.) ) 

 About 3 J inches in length, with a bushy tail, and of a reddish 

 tawny colour. 



Hob.— Widely distributed over Europe. 

 A specimen lived for about a month only. 



(137) to (145). 

 No detailed description is required. 



The rats from No. 137 to No. 145 may be exhibited in small 

 boxes with perforated zinc sides and glass front, placed on tables or 

 shelves in the side of a house. The rats may be fed like any other 

 smaller rodents, but they are omnivorous, and when hungry will nibble 

 at bones, meat and eggs. 



(146) THE EED-CHEEKED BAMBOO EAT. 

 (RHIZOMYS ERYTHROGENYS-^cZr.) 

 The distinguishing characteristics of this species are its bright 

 golden red cheeks and sides of the head generally, the dark occipital line 

 extending forwards to between the eyes, and the absence of any white 

 mark on the forehead, which is present in the allied species (E. Sumatren- 

 sis). Total length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail more 

 than 14 inches. 



Hab. — Shan States of Upper Burmah and Mergui. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 It met with accidental death after having lived for about three 

 months only. 



(147) THE CHESTNUT-COLOUEED BAMBOO EAT. 

 (RHIZOMYS BADIUS — Rodgs.) 



Smaller in size than the preceding species; colour of the fur chest- 

 nut ; quite adult specimens are slaty grey. 



Hab. — Found in the Himalayas from Nepal eastwards and extends 

 through Assam Manipur, and Arracan to Burmah. It does not appear 

 to be found further south than the northern part of Tenasserim. 



