JERBOA. 
m 
ally found in the sandy tracts between the Don 
and the Volga. It is somewhat less than a rabbit, 
and is remarkable for the length of its hind-legs, 
which enable the animal to spring six or eight feet 
at a bound. The body of the jerboa is covered with 
hair of a pale tawny colour ; the breast and belly 
are whitish, and there is an obscure dusky band 
across the upper part of the thighs. The tail is 
very long, and has a bushy termination ; in walking 
they carry it in the form of an S. The habits of 
these animals, as far as respects their walking, bear 
some resemblance to a bird, as they are constantly 
seen upon their hind-legs ; the fore-ones being too 
short to be serviceable to them on the ground : they 
indeed appear at first sight to have only two legs, 
as they generally conceal the fore-feet among the 
hair. 
Jerboas are animals of mild and gentle manners ; 
they live on grain and herbage like the hare, and 
in the higher latitudes provide a warm nest against 
the rigours of the winter season. We learn from 
Mr. Pennant that they burrow under ground, and 
in accomplishing their purpose use both the teeth 
and fore-feet, flinging the earth behind them as 
they proceed, so as to form a heap at the entrance. 
The burrows are many yards long, and are con- 
ducted by the little animals in an oblique and 
winding direction ; but are seldom more than half a 
yard below the surface. At the end of this sub- 
terranean habitation is situated the nest, in which 
they deposit the purest herbs. Their caverns have 
