. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. iZi NATURAL HISTORY. they have the opjiortiuiity of catching insects. Having wonderful powers of sight, and of rapid jumping, they watch for then- prey, and approacli 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 then- usual voice is soft. Holes in trees are used by the Cheirogales for hiding-places and nests for their young, w
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. iZi NATURAL HISTORY. they have the opjiortiuiity of catching insects. Having wonderful powers of sight, and of rapid jumping, they watch for then- prey, and approacli 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 then- usual voice is soft. Holes in trees are used by the Cheirogales for hiding-places and nests for their young, which d'a not accompany the mother at fu'st out of their safe retreats. Natm-alists have had a vast amount of trouble in distinguishing these little Lemuroids one from. {Moiijici after SMegel and PoUm.) the other, and there has been a vast amount of confusion about their names, but the following are interesting for many reasons. THE FORKED-CROWNED CHEIROGALE.* The "Walouvy," or "Tantarou6-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 eastei'n parts of Madagascar. Their choice of a domicUe is oitluiarUy 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 ofFei's. They make incredible leaps, so that it is extremely difficult to capture them. At night then- cries resound in the woods almost continuously, and their noise somewhat resembles the piwcing tones of the Guinea-fowl, a kind of " Ka-ka^ka-ka " being uttered loudly and precipitately. * Cheirogalc Please note that these images are extracted from s
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