284 NATURAL HISTORY. 
they have the opportunity of catching insects. Having wonderful powers of sight, and of rapid 
jumping, they watch for their prey, and approach it quietly, and finally descend from some height with 
the stealthy swoop of an Owl, catching the Beetle, Spider, or even small bird, and tearing it to pieces 
with astonishing celerity. They have a shrill cry at night, which is loud for such small creatures, 
but their usual voice is soft. 
Holes in trees are used by the Cheirogales for hiding-places and nests for their young, which do- 
not accompany the mother at first out of their safe retreats. 
Naturalists have had a vast amount of trouble in distinguishing these little Lemuroids one from 
THE l-’OliXED- CUO WN ED CUEIEOGAEE, (Modified after Schleyel and Pollen.) 
the other, and there has been a vast amount of confusion about their names, but the following am 
interesting for many reasons. 
THE FORKED-CROWNED CHEIROGALES 
The “ Walouvy,” or “ Tantaroue-lela ” — for such are its Malagasy by-names — is found in abundance* 
in the forests on the western side of the island, but it equally inhabits the eastern parts of Madagascar. 
Their choice of a domicile is ordinarily in the hollow of a tree, particularly in one with a double- 
aperture; and in their selection they not unfrequently stumble on a cavity already occupied by Bees, but- 
this does not deter them from having a share in the busy business concern. For the natives pretend that- 
it has a preference for the society of the Bees, doubtless with an eye to the dainty luscious honey, which 
it steals as opportunity offers. They make incredible leaps, so that it is extremely difficult to capture 
them. At night their cries resound in the woods almost continuously, and their noise somewhat- 
resembles the piercing tones of the Guinea-fowl, a kind of “ Ka-ka-ka-ka ” being uttered loudly and. 
precipitately. 
* Cheirogale furcifer. 
