368 
VERTEBRATA. 
had red eyes, and appeared to be an albino : it was of a dull reddish- wliite, marked with three 
very faint sti-ipes of a still lighter hue. They were presented to the society in 1828, and are 
represented in the above engraving. 
The palm-sqnirrels, which derive their name from being often seen on palm-trees, are common 
in East Indian toAvns and villages, often being seen running about the roofs of houses and old 
walls. The female places her young in holes of the latter. They are great destroyers of fruit, 
and are very familiar, entering houses to pick up the crumbs. They are easily tamed, and 
become interesting pets. They live in holes in the ground, but are exceedingly fond of running 
about on elevated places, on the roofs of lofty houses and tall trees. Pennant states that Gov- 
ernor Loten informed him that they lived much in the cocoa-tree, and were very fond of the 
Sury, or palm-wine, which is procured from it; on this account it obtained, among the Indians, 
the name of Sicricatsje, or the Little Cat of the Sutt/. 
THE TAMIA STRIATA. 
The BuRUNDUK, Tamias striata, called Rugeriih by the Tartars, is found in the northern parts 
of Europe and Asia. It is about five inches long, and of a fawn-color above, striped with five 
brown and two white bands; beneath, it is white. It is more wild than the preceding, and 
though it is lively, it has not the agility of the squirrel. It seldom climbs trees, except to escape 
an enemy or secure some favorite fruit. It makes its burrow below the roots of trees, in which 
it stores nuts and dry fruits. It is said, also, to fill other magazines in the same way. In trans- 
porting its supplies, it uses its ample cheek-pouches. Its nest is well lined with soft grass, and 
we may suppose it passes the winter comfortablj?^, though confined to its underground liome. 
It has a great resemblance in size, appearance, and habits to our little chip-squirrel, and 
has been considered of the same species by some authors; but recent examinations seem to ren- 
der it highly probable that it is a distinct species. ' 
Other foreign species of Tamias are the Burrowing-Squikrel, Sciurvs fossor, of Senegal, 
with several other species found in Abyssinia; Lary's Squirrel, Sciurus insignis, of Java and 
Sumatra; Delessert's Squirrel, Sciurus Dclessertii, of Hindostan. 
Of the American species of Tamias, the Sciurus Lysteri, the well known Chipping-Squirrel, 
or Striped Squirrel, the HacJcee, or Cliiji-mucTc of the United States, the Ohiohin of the Hurons, 
the Striped Dormouse of Pennant, is the most interesting. Its color is brownish-gray above, with 
five longitudinal black stripes and two yellowish-white ones along the back; the under surface is 
white; the length of the head and body is about six and a half inches; the tail, with the fur, four 
and a half. It lives in holes in the earth, and is usually seen on the ground, or on rocks, fences, 
and stumps, and is hence often called the Ground- Squirrel. Though not becoming tame upon 
domestication, and being often seen in the most solitary woods and forests, it is even more com- 
mon near the abodes of men, especially in the villages, where it may be seen around the farms 
and gardens, and even running along the fences of the streets. It is not swift, but is lively and 
playful, and though careful not to allow a very close approach, it will come out of its holes and 
look at a stranger, and often pursue its avocations without being disturbed by his presence. 
