Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/337

Rh she died as a result of a broken leg, probably received in falling a considerable height from the sides of the cage. She was of a remarkably lively and frolicsome disposition, pattering about over the floor of the cage with the nimbleness of a Sandpiper.

(5) A young female.—Very small and poorly coloured; a remarkable greyish tinge showing on the fur.

(6) Adult female (successor to No. 4).—A handsomely marked specimen, rich dark fur in contrast to No. 5. The male seemed to like her well enough. It was hoped the pair would have bred. Unfortunately she was found dead one morning, though apparently in perfect health the day before. No cause of death was assignable. The male has survived all his wives, and is as lively as ever.

In concluding this article, I cordially recommend the Egyptian Jerboa to any naturalist in want of an out-of-the-way pet. Of convenient size, gentle disposition, engaging manners, and quaint shape, this little animal can be obtained at a very moderate price (say from four to seven shillings) of many London dealers, and is easily kept on crushed oats, millet-seed, or similar dry food. It does not require artificial heat save in the bitterest weather, provided it be kept indoors; it is neither delicate like a Marmoset, uncertain like a Ferret, noisy like a Cockatoo, nor vicious like a Budgerigar. Let the Jerboa have its food and cage perfectly dry, damp and especially fog being carefully avoided; see that the drinking-vessel is accessible, and give the animal plenty of clean dry hay, from which it will itself gnaw fragments to form its diurnal couch, and Dipus jaculus will live long and happily to delight the heart of its owner with its odd ways, lively movements, and docile temperament—a rodent Kangaroo, a mammalian Sparrow, and a vertebrate Sandhopper all rolled into one.