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Show 1900.] MAMMALS OF 81AM AND THE MALAY PENINSULA. 363 but what it is we cannot yet say for certain. Cantor seems to have observed two species : one (p. 45) he calls 3Ius bandicota, Bechstein, the other Mus setifer, Horsfield. Of the former he gives the Malay name as " Tikus besar " (i. e. big rat), and the habitat as " Pinang," and says :-" The larger of two individuals, captured in gardens, measured, head and body, ten and one-eighth inches (258 mm.); the tail seven and four-eighth inches (181 mm.)." In May 1895 a species of Nesocia was common about outbuildings in the barracks in Penang. Subsequently in April 1898 I trapped more Bandicoots in Georgetown, Penang; they were in colour:-above grey, with very long black hairs giving a very dark appearance; throat whitish buff, remainder of lower surfaces pale grey. Three skulls and skins I sent to Mr. Oldfield Thomas, who kindly wrote to m e they were " allied to N. bengalensis-perhaps N. barclayana, Anderson." Family SPALACID.E. 133. R H I Z O M Y S BADIUS Hodgs. The Bay Bamboo-Rat. Rhizomys minor, Horsfield, Cat. M a m m . Mus. East India Co. 1851, p. 165. Rhizomys badius, Blanf. Faun. Ind., M a m m . p. 438. Horsfield (I. s. c.) records a specimen from Siam obtained by Dr. G. Finlayson, who says it is called " Tlnir " by the Siamese, and adds : " Our specimen is about 6 inches in length, aud appears to be a young one. ft readily submits to confinement, and is easily tamed. Like most animals of the genus, ir is destructive to furniture, to grain, etc., and when suddenly surprised it throws itself upon the offensive, instead of making a precipitate retreat. Its principal food is unhusked rice or other grain, and it is fond of yams, pumpkins, etc., found in forests and woods near to Bamvasor." Distribution. Nepal, Sikhim, Bhutan, Assam, Manipur, Burm?, Siam. 134. RHIZOMYS SUMATRENSIS (Raffl.). The Large Bamboo-Rat. Rhizomys sumatrensis. Cantor, p. 47 ; Blanf. Faun. Ind., M a m m. p. 439. " Dekan " of the Malays (Wray). " Woo'n " of the Siamese ; also called " Tun." Cantor records this species from the Malay Peninsula, describes its colour, gives dimensions, and says " In confinement, it is very savage, scarcely tameable." W . L. Sclater (Cat. M a m m . Indian Mus. ii. 1891, p. 96) records specimens from Malacca and from Alma Estate, Province Wellesley. The Raffles Museum possesses specimens from Malacca. The Museum at Taiping contains specimens from Batu Gajah and from Bukit Gantang, Perak. The Museum at Kuala Lumpor contains several specimens caught in the neighbourhood of that town. There were in the Siamese |
