TREE-SHRE WS. 
3 i 3 
The largest member of the group is the Bornean tree-shrew (Tupaia tana). 
They may be found in clumps of trees as well as in forests; and, in addition to 
their resemblance to squirrels in appearance, they simulate those animals very 
closely in their movements, as they may not nnfrequently be seen sitting upon 
their hind-quarters and holding their food in their fore-paws. Their food consists 
of insects and fruit; and although insects are usually sought on trees, tree-shrews 
may sometimes be seen hunting for food on the ground. 
The Madras tree-shrew (T. ellioti), which is found in the forests of the greater 
part of Peninsular India to the southward of the plains of the Indus and Ganges, 
is a well-known species, of which the head and body measure from 7 to 8 inches 
in length, while the tail (including the hair) is about an inch longer. From the 
fact of several of this species having been met with by Prof. Ball lying dead 
in the jungle, it would seem that a fate similar to that which overtakes at 
THE COMMON TREE-SHREW nat. size). 
certain times of the year the common English shrew also befalls the tupaias. 
The Malay tree-shrew (T. ferruginea) is a rather smaller species, with a much 
wider distribution, extending from Assam and the Eastern Himalaya (where it is 
found at elevations of from three thousand to six thousand feet) to Burma and the 
Malayan Islands. 
Of the Malayan species, General M'Master writes, that it “ is a 
Habits t/ ± 
harmless little animal, in the dry season living in trees, and in the 
monsoon entering our houses, and in impudent familiarity taking the place held 
in India by the common palm-squirrel; it is, however, probably from its rat-like 
head and thievish expression, very unpopular. I cannot,” he adds, “endorse 
Jerdon’s statement as to their extraordinary agility, for they did not appear to' me 
to be nearly as active as squirrels; at least I remember one of my terriers on two 
