in captivity in lower bengal. 121 



Length of life in captivity. 



There is no record of the actual period, but specimens have been 

 known to thrive well for at least three years. 



(148) THE COYPU. 

 (MYOPOTAMUS COYPU- (Mol.) ) 



Description.— "Length, about 23 inches ; general colour of the body 

 above dusky brown ; the sides and underparts brownish yellow ; the 

 muzzle and chin white ; tail thick and tapering ; ears small ; front-cut- 

 ting teeth large and powerful. 



Hab. — South America. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 From June 1882 to December 1885. 



Treatment in health. 



Sousing. — The bamboo rats should be treated like the marmots. 

 The experiment of allowing them to burrow underground was tried, but 

 unfortunately resulted in the death of the animals for whose benefit the 

 arrangements were made. The ground sunk after a heavy shower, and 

 the animals were buried alive. The coypu rat must have water, and 

 an accommodation similar to that recommended for the otter is most 

 suitable. In building its cage \ inch iron rods should be used, as it 

 will easily cut through any wire netting, however stout. 



Food. — The same as squirrels and other rodents. In their wild state 

 the bamboo rats feed largely upon roots of bamboos. This may easily be 

 supplied in captivity also. 



Observations on the habits of Bamboo and Coypu Eats. 



Bamboo rats are lazy, but not shy or timid ; during the day they 

 sleep much ; the coypu is very sociable in disposition, fond of water, 

 and rather awkward in their movements on land. 



(149) THE SHOBT-SPINED POECUPINE. 



(HYSTEIX LONGICAUDA— itfam^.) 



Hindi — Shahi. Bengali — Sdjdru. 



Very common all over Bengal, and found in a wild state within the 

 garden. 



Hab. — Himalayas from Nepal eastwards, Lower Bengal, Assam, 

 Burmah, and the Malayan peninsula, extending to the islands of 

 Sumatra and Borneo. 



Specimens obtained from Java appeared to differ in no way from 

 the present species. 



