The Mammals of Somaliland - Drake-Brockman

BIOLOGY
LIBRARY
G
.
THE
MAM M ALS
OF
SOMALILAND
THE
MAMMALS OF
SOMALILAND
BY
R. E. DRAKE-BROCKMAN
F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., ETC.
COLONIAL SERVICE
WITH EIGHTEEN COLLOTYPE PLATES

AND DIAGRAMS
LONDON
HURST AND BLAGKETT, LTD.
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, PATERNOSTER ROW
1910
'
PRINTED BY
HA/ELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD.,
LONDON AND AYLESBURY.
To
MY MOTHER
419973
PREFACE
THIS work is the result of five years' study of the Fauna of
Somaliland, made while residing in the Somali country. That
it maybe of some interest to naturalists, and of use to the
sportsman, is the earnest hope and ultimate desire of the
author.
The Somali country has long been renowned for its peculiar
and beautiful Fauna, which, owing to the warlike nature of its
inhabitants, has been but slightly studied.

" "
There are still immense areas in the Horn of Africa
unexplored by the white man which in all probability contain
many interesting birds and mammals as yet unknown.
My endeavour throughout has been to state as concisely

as possible all that is known regarding the mammals of the
vast region called Somaliland, and to show how slight our
knowledge is concerning them.
Itimpossible for me to thank individually all those
is who
have from time to time assisted me in one way or another ;
but
I cannot close without one word of praise for one, Abdullah
Warsama, H.G., Aidagalleh, Guyube, my orderly, who during
the past five years has not only assisted me in obtaining most
of my specimens, but has been responsible for the preparation
of many of them. His knowledge and his intelligent interest in
. the habits and the peculiarities of the wild beasts of his country
have been of the greatest help to me.
My best thanks are due to the Secretary of State for the
vii
viii PREFACE
Colonies for permitting me to reproduce in full the Ordinance

relating to the Game in the Somaliland Protectorate to the ;
Trustees of the British Museum of Natural History for their

Hints on Removing and Preparing Skins of Mammals ;
to
Mr. Oldfield Thomas for many hints and suggestions ;
to
Mr. H. A. Byatt for allowing me to make use of his photo-
graph of the Dibatag and to Captain Walford of the Suffolk
;
Regiment for the use of some of his notes.
R. E. D.-B.
BERBERA,
BRITISH SOMALILAND.
CONTENTS
ORDER PRIMATES
SUB-ORDER ANTHROPOIDS
FAMILY CERCOPITHECID^;
GENUS CERCOPITHECUS
PAGE
1. C. (Zthiops. The Grivet Monkey 3
GENUS PAPIO
2. P. hamadryas* The Dog-faced or Rock Baboon . .
4
5 UB-ORDERLEMUROIDÊ
FAMILY LEMURID^:
GENUS GALAGO
3. G. gallarum. The Somali Lemur . . . . . 7
ORDER CARNIVORA
5 UB-ORDERFISSIPEDIA
DIVISION ÊLUROIDEA
FAMILY FELIDÊ
GENUS FELIS
4. F. leo. The Lion . . . . . . . .11
5. F. pardus. The Leopard 14
6. F. pardus nanopardus. The Pigmy Leopard . .
.17
7. F. serval. The Serval . . . . . .
.19
8. F. ocreata. The Wild Cat . . . . . .20
9. F. caracal. The Caracal or Lynx . 21
X CONTENTS
GENUS CYN&LURUS
10. C. jubatus. The Cheetah or Hunting Leopard . . 22
FAMILY VIVERRIDÊ
GENUS- GENETTA
11. G. dongolensis. The Genet . . . .* , , 27
GENUS HERPESTES
'
12. H. albicauda. The White-Tailed Mungoose . . 28

13. H.ochraceus. The Yellow Mungoose . . . . , 29
14. H. ochraceus fulvidior. The Tawny Mungoose .
30
15. H. ochraceus perfulvidus. The Red Mungoose . .
31
GENUS HELOGALE
1 6. H. atkinsoni. Atkinson's Mungoose . . . :
32
17. H.hirtula. The Shaggy Mungoose V . .
33
GENUS CROSSARCHUS
1 8. C. somaltcus. The Banded Mungoose . . .
34
FAMILY PROTELID^:
GENUS PROTELES
19. P.cristatus. The Aardwolf . . . . . ; 37
FAMILY
GENUS HYAENA
20. H. hycena. The Striped Hyaena . . .
, 39
21. H. crocuta. The Spotted Hyaena . . .
41
DIVISION CYNOIDEA
FAMILY CANID^
GENUS CANIS
22. C. variegatus. The Grey Jackal
The Black-Backed
..... 45
23.
24.
C. mesomelas.
C. famelicus. The Desert Fox .....

Jackal . . . 46
48
CONTENTS XI
PAGE
GENUS OTOCYON
25. O. megalotis. The Long-Eared Fox .... 49
GENUS LYCAON
26. L. pictus somalicus. The Somali Wild Dog . . .
50
DIVISION ARCTOIDE A
FAMILY MUSTELID^:
GENUS MELLIVORA
27. M. ratel. The Ratel 53
ORDER UNGULATA
SUB-ORDER AR TIODA CT YLA
DIVISION PECORA
FAMILY BOVIDÊ
SUB-FAMILY BUBALINÊ
GENUS B UBALIS
28. B. swaynei. Swayne's Hartebeest 57
GENUS DAMALISCUS
29. D. jimela. The Topi Hartebeest 59
SUB-FAMILY NEOTRAGIN/E
GENUS OREOTRA GUS
30. O. somalicus. The Somali Klipspringer ... 63
GENUS DORCA TRA G US
31. D. melanotis. The Beira 65
GENUS MADOQUA
32. M. phillipsi. Phillips's Dik-dik 68
33. M. swaynei. Swayne's Dik-dik 70

34. M. kirkii. Kirk's Dik-dik . . . . .
.71
GENUS RHYNCHOTRAGUS
35. R. guntheri. Gunther's Dik-dik . . . . .
72
xil CONTENTS
PAGE
SUB-FAMILY CERVI CAPRINE
GENUS COBUS
36. C. defassa. Waterbuck 74
SUB-FAMILY ANTILOPINÊ
GENUS GAZELLA
37. G. spekei. Speke's Gazelle . . . .
75
38. G. pelzelnL Pelzeln's, or the Lowland Gazelle . .
77
39. G. soemmeringi. Soemmering's Gazelle, or the "Aoul" .
78
GENUS LITHOCRANIUS
40. L. walleri. The Gerenuk, or Waller's Gazelle . . 80
GENUS AMMORDORCAS
41. A. clarkei. Clarke's Gazelle . . . ... 83
SUB-FAMILY HIPPOTRAGINÊ
GENUSORYX
42. O. beisa. The Oryx . .
..'..,. .
89
SUB-FAMILY TRAGELAPHIN^
GENUS TRA GELAPHUS
43. T. scriptus decula. Bushbuck 91
GENUS-STREPSICEROS
44. S. kudu. The Greater Kudu . . . . .
92
45. 5. imberbis. The Lesser Kudu . . .
95
DIVISION SUINA
FAMILY HIPPOPOTAMIDÊ
GENUS HIPPOPOTAMUS
46. H. amphibius. Hippopotamus . . .
99
FAMILY SUIDyE
GENUS PHACOCHCERUS
47. P. athiopicus. The Warthog 100
CONTENTS xiii
PAGE
S UB- ORDER PERIS SODA CT YLA
FAMILY EQUID^
GENUS EQUUS
48. E. asinus somalicus. The Somali Wild Ass . .
.103
49. E. grevyii. Grevy's Zebra 105
FAMILY RHINOCEROTID^:
GENUS RHINOCEROS
50. R. bicornis. Rhinoceros 106
5 UB-ORDERH YRA CO1DEA

FAMILY PROCAVIID^:
GENUS PROCA VIA
51. P. brucei somalica. Bruce's Dassie . . .
.109
SUB-ORDER PROBOSCIDEA
FAMILY ELEPHANTIDÊ
GENUS ELEPHAS
52. E. africanus orleansi. The Elephant . . . . in
ORDER RODENTIA
SUB-ORDER SIMPLICIDENTA TA
DIVISION SCIUROMORPH A
FAMILY SCIURID^:
GENUS-XERUS
53. X. rutilus dabagalla. The Ground Squirrel . .
.115
DIVISION MYOMORPH A
FAMILY MURIDÊ
SUB-FAMILY GERBILLINÊ
GENUS- GERBILL US
54. G. sp? Coast Gerbille 119
55. G. dunni. Dunn's Gerbille . 120
XIV CONTENTS
FACE
GENUS D1PODILL US
56. D.sp? Dipodillus 121
57. D.sp? Dipodillus 122

58. D. peeli. Peel's Dipodille 123
GENUS AMMODILLUS
The Unwarlike Ammodille
'
59. A. imbellis. . . . 124
SUB-FAMILY MURING
GENUS MUS
M.brockmani. Long-Tailed Mouse
'
60. ''',.:
-. . .
127
GENUS A COMYS
*
61. A. mullah. The Spinous Mouse . . . . . 128

GENUS ARVICANTHIS
62. A. somalicus. The Somali Fibrous Rat . , . 129
SUB-FAMILY LOPHIOMYINÊ
GENUS LOPHIOMYS
63. L. smithii. Great African Crested Rat. . . .
133
FAMILY BATHYERGID^:
GENUS HETEROCEPHALUS
64. H. glaber. The Naked Rat . . . . .
.137
FAMILY JACULID^
GENUS-JACULUS
65. /. sp? Jerboa . . . . . . . . 141
DIVISION HYSTRICOMORPH A
FAMILYHYSTRICIDÊ
GENUS HYSTRIX
66. H. cristata. The Porcupine . . . . . . 145
FAMILY CTENODACTYLIDÊ
GENUSPECTINA TOR
67. P.spekei. Speke's Pectinator . . . ^ .
149
CONTENTS XV
5 UB-ORDERD UPLICIDENTA TA
FAMILY LEPORIDÊ
GENUS LEPUS
68. L. somalensis. The Somali Hare .
ORDER CHIROPTERA
5 UB-ORDERMICROCHIROPTERA
FAMILY NYCTERIDÊ
GENUS- PETAL/A
69. P.thebaica. Slit-Faced Bat .... . .
157
FAMILY VESPERTILIONIDÊ
GENUS VESPERTILIO
"
70. V. minutus somalicus . .
158
GENUS- SCOTOPHILUS
71. S.schlieffeni. Schlieffen's Bat . . . .
.159
72. >S. nigrita leucogaster 160
FAMILY EMBALLONURIDÊ
GENUS NYCTINOMUS
73. N. pussilus 161
GENUS CARDIODERMA
74. C. cor. Horse-Shoe Bat 162
ORDER INSECTIVORA
FAMILY MACROSCELIDIDÊ
GENUS MA CROSCELIDES
75. M. revoillii. Revoil's Elephant Shrew .... 165
GENUS ELEPHANTUL US
76. E. somalicus. Somali Elephant Shrew .... 166
xvi CONTENTS
PAGE
FAMILY ERINACEIDÊ
GENUS ERINA CE US
77. E. cethiopicus.
E. albiventer.
The Hedgehog .....
The White-Bellied Hedgehog .
167
168
78. .
FAMILY
GENUS CROCIDURA
79. C. nana. The Little Shrew
The Somali Shrew
. . .... 169
80. C. somalica. . . . . ; 170
81.
82.
C.smithii.
C. sp? ..........
Smith's Shrew . . V I
172
7I
ORDER EDENTATA
FAMILY ORYCTEROPODIDÊ
GENUS ORYCTEROP US
83. O.athiopicus. The Antbear . ... . 1/5
APPENDIX I
A List of Somali Names for most of the Game Animals

in Somaliland and adjacent countries . . . .
177
APPENDIX II
Hints on Removing and Preparing Skins of Mammals .

178
APPENDIX III
Game Regulations of the Somaliland Protectorate . , 186
INDEX .
197
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
LESSER KUDU . . * . . . '.. .
Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
GENET . . . . .^ . . . . . . 27
AARDWOLF . . . ; . , '';', . .
37
SPOTTED HY/ENA . . . . ... . . 41
....
,
SWAYNE'S HARTEBEEST . . . . . 57
THE SOMALI KLIPSPRINGER 63
BEIRA 65
SPEKE'S GAZELLE 75
PELZELN'S GAZELLE -77
WALLER'S GAZELLE . , . . . . . . . 80
CLARKE'S GAZELLE . . . . ... . * ... .83

ORYX . < .
.89
GREATER KUDU . .
> . . . . , . .
92
WARTHOG 100
SMITH'S GREAT AFRICAN CRESTED RAT 133

PORCUPINE (DIAGRAMS OF FEET) 145
ANTBEAR 175
ANTBEAR AT 'WORK . . . . . . . .
.176
THE SOMALI ANTELOPES 194
xvii
ERRATA
Pages 3 and 4, line 3, for "Diyar" read "Dayer."
" "
Page 17, line 26, for Johnson- Stewart read "Johnston-Stewart."
,, 21 ,, 10, read "male shot on Cuban by Capt. Jorgensen."
" neck " read "
, 49 > 34> for side."
" the Webi, Shebeleh" read " the
74 13, for Webi Shebeleh.
3
^
" Clark's gazelle " read " Clarke's
83, Plate, for gazelle."
" Arreh " " Godir arreh."
92, line 10, for read
" "
read " Godir arreh."
95 3 for Godir, Arreh
,,194 I5 for "soemmering" read "soemmeringi."
ORDER PRIMATES
5 UB-ORDER ANTHROPOIDS
FAMILY CERCOPITHECIDÊ
GENUS-CERCOPITHECUS
C. sethiops
GENUS--PAPIO
P. haraadryas
GRIVET MONKEY
Cercopitheous sethiops, Linn.
Galla, Wenni ; Somali name, Diyai
DESCRIPTION. General colour greenish brown, imparted to the

fur owing to each hair being banded alternately black and yellow.
Underfur grey. Fur on throat, cheeks, supra-orbital ridges, chest,
belly, inner side of arms and legs, white. Tail grey above, white
below. Tip of tail grey or whitish.
MEASUREMENTS. A medium-sized grivet. I was unable to
take the measurements of my specimen shot on the Webi.
DISTRIBUTION. The banks of the Juba, Webi Shebeleh, and
their affluents.
HABITS. This monkey is quite common on the affluents of

the Juba, especially the River Webi. It goes about in troops,
and does great damage to the small plantations of the Wago-
sha, Gurre, and other tribes who inhabit the banks of the Somali
rivers.
THE DOG-FACED OR ROCK BABOON
Papio hamadryas, Linn.
Somali name, Diyar
DESCRIPTION. This hideous beast is of a uniform grey colour

when fully grown, but when young is brown. The females
retain this brown colour till much later in life than the males.
The and old age develop a heavy mane, which
latter in adult life
assists them in looking more formidable when they adopt a
threatening attitude. The hairs of the cheeks and parts of the

mane as age advances get silver-grey in colour.
MEASUREMENTS of an old male in the flesh were :
Head and body .: . . ''.' . .

737mm.
Tail . . . .
\ . . v 562
Sole of foot . . . ... . . 188
Ear . , , . . . . . 57
Length of hair of mane . . .
*
. .
245
Weight . * , V .; . . \ 43 Ib.
DISTRIBUTION. Found throughout Northern Somaliland in

suitable localities.
HABITS. The rock baboon is always found in troops of fifty

to one hundred or more individuals. As the name signifies, they
are always in the neighbourhood of cliffs and rocky ridges, where
they can rest at night safe from the larger Carnivorae. On the
approach of danger the females gather up their young and move
along at a rare pace. The males usually Jag behind, frequently
turning round and standing in a menacing attitude, giving vent
the while to grunts and deep- throated sounds. They have been
said to attack human beings but I have always found them only
;
too anxious to make good their escape. They are greatly preyed
upon by leopards but beyond making the most hideous screams
;
they do not make any attempt at rescuing one of their number

if one unluckily gets caught. They live entirely on wild fruits
and roots, and usually come down to drink about midday.
SUB-ORDER LEMUROWsE
FAMILY LEMURIDÊ
GENUS GALA GO
G. gallarum
THE SOMALI LEMUR
Galago gallarnm, Thos.
Somali name, unknown ; Galla, JKulo adadi
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this animal is grey, the

basal part of the fur dark slaty. The chin and throat are white,
abdomen and remaining underparts creamy white except on the
thighs and elbows, where the fur is a pale ochraceous, probably
owing to its living in the red-earth country. The fur is very soft
and thick. On the hands and feet the hair is silky white. The
and only sparsely covered outside.
ears are large, hairless inside,
The tail is
very long and bushy towards its terminal part. The
hairs of the tail are silky white mixed with dark smok)X black,
giving a general grey appearance, which is darker towards the

terminal half. Their length towards the tip of tail varies from
30-35 mm. The second toe is peculiar in being furnished with
a minute claw instead of a flat nail like the other toes and ringers.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of adult male and female lemurs

shot at Odweina :
cT ?
Head and body 196 mm. 171 mm.
Tail 254 245
Hindfoot 38 32
Ear 38 32
DISTRIBUTION. The above specimens were killed at Odweina,

about 100 miles south of Berbera, and I have seen it at Hargeisa
and on the Juba River, where it is quite common.
HABITS. Although frequently seen on the ground, jumping
along on its hindlegs like a jerboa, it is
chiefly arboreal in its
7
8 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
habits. It appears to spend the day in holes in trees, emerging

"
about sunset to feed. Its food consists of the seeds of the " gurha
"
tree, insects, and probably the fruit of the " gob
tree. It is always
"
found living in the tall acacia trees (" gurha and " wadi ") so
common along the large riverbeds, such as are seen at Odweina
and Hargeisa. They also probably eat the grape-like fruit of the
"
Armo " creeper. I chased one of these lemurs one evening at
Hargeisa. It was feeding on the ground, and, as soon as it
sighted me, started jumping towards me, when suddenly, taking a

leap, it seized the hanging branch of an acacia, about three or four
feet from the ground, and disappeared, as if by magic, among its
branches. I carefully searched the tree with my gun-bearer for
about a quarter of an hour, but we never detected its whereabouts.

The tree was not more than fifteen to twenty feet in height, and it
had no holes in its trunk or branches. They must be adepts at the
art of concealing themselves.
They probably live on insects in the dry weather, for at certain

" "
seasons there is no fruit on the gob trees. At Odweina,
practically the only trees along the river bed are the huge
" "" "
gurha and gob trees, so there, at any rate,they must subsist
for months on insects alone. They are seen singly or in pairs,
usually the latter. They breed in March, just before the rains.
Soon after sundown they may be seen jumping from branch to
branch with lightning-like rapidity. A curious fact about this
lemur is its fondness for a particular tree. After one pair had been
shot in a certain tree at Odweina, another pair came and took up
their abode in the same tree and bred there. Why they selected
this particular tree it is difficult to say. Another peculiarity I
have noticed is that when the female is suckling its young, the
rnale is
always conspicuous by its absence.
ORDER CARNIVORA
S UB- ORDER FISSIPEDIA
DIVISION ÊLUROIDEA
FAMILY FELIDÊ
GENUS FELIS
F. leo
F. pardus
F. pardua nanopardus
F. serval
F. ocreata
F. caracal
GENUS C YNJEL UR US
C. jubatus
THE LION
Felis leo, Linn.
Somali name, Libah or Libbah
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the lion is tawny yellow.

In the male there is a more or less distinct mane which may be
either tawny yellow, a mixture of tawny yellow and black, or black.
The female is maneless. The young cubs and very often the
adult animals have spots of the general body colour on the sides
and underneath. The tail is furnished with a black tip. The
head and jaws are very massive, and it is remarkable to what
extent a lion can open his jaws it is no uncommon sight to see a
shikari place his whole head inside a lion's mouth when it has
been killed.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male and female shot

in the Haud by Captain Walford were :
Length (straight between two pegs $ ?

at nose and tip of tail) . . 8 ft. 9 in. 7 ft. 5 in.
Height at shoulders . . .
3 4 3 o
Girth of forearm . . . i 4 i o
DISTRIBUTION. The lion used to be found all over Somaliland,

but is now seldom seen far distant from the Haud,
Nogal Valley,
and Ogaden, where he is still plentiful. Lions are rare in British
Somaliland, comparatively speaking. They still, however, are
known to wander on to the Golis Range and to within 20 miles
of Bulhar.
HABITS. Lions are almost entirely nocturnal in their habits.

They numbers as singly. Unless very hungry
are as often seen in
" "
they usually leave their kill an hour or so before dawn and make
for some suitable shady cover, in which they lie throughout the
heat of the day. It is usually difficult to dislodge them from their
lair, without either setting a light to it or partially surrounding it

with howling natives. In Somaliland it is customary to either sit
" "
up over a kill or follow up the tracks and attempt to drive the
lion from his midday retreat. To accomplish the latter it is
necessary to have six or eight mounted Somalis who ride with up-
liftedspear through the thick cover, usually driving the lion in
them towards the spot where the sportsman is standing,
front of
when an easy shot is generally obtainable, as the brute stands
hesitating at the edge of the bush, wondering which way to dash
off. Very frequently only a snapshot at him is obtainable when
he bounds out of the cover, but the horsemen soon round him up
again and eventually bring him to bay.
To my thinking, the lion's roar is not as grand as it is made out
to be. On a still night the deep growls
are heard a long way off,
and as they approach nearer and nearer the excitement grows more
intense and one is apt to exaggerate the noise. The so-called roar
is a series of well-timed deep throaty growls ending in a hiss, as
the volume of air leaves the lips. These growls, or rather series of
growls, are heard at varying intervals as the lion is wandering about.
It is difficult to imagine that an animal so cunning can give vent
to these far-sounding noises when hungry and in quest of food, as
the terrified animals must take good care to place themselves at a
safe distance from their dreaded antagonist. In Somaliland lions
on the karias * for their food At
chiefly rely wandering supply.
night they leap the high zarebas, carrying off sheep and goats, or
" "
lie up for the unwary camel as it feeds in the
grass in tall durr
the daytime. They frequently travel long distances at night to
deliver an attack at some unsuspecting karia many miles away
from where they were last heard.
have known an old lion literally play with a donkey tied
I
up This occurred a few years ago while I was

for his benefit.
shooting on the edge of the Nogal Valley. A very fine lion

which I had failed for three nights to entice within range and
which appeared to be extraordinarily cunning, I determined to
present with a donkey for him to kill and gorge at his leisure,
*
Acollection of huts belonging to one or more families, together with their
cattle, camels and small stock,
THE LION 13
so that I might the more easily follow him up the next

day. I tied up my donkey about two hundred yards from my
own zareba, so imagine my surprise when I was awakened in the
"
middle of the night by my servant shouting Libah, libah
"
! A
great rushing noise followed by a cloud of dust close to me made
me jump to my feet,only to find my old friend the donkey
standing close up against the zareba with a small uprooted tree by
his side.
Next morning, on examining the spot where the donkey had
been tied, we found innumerable lion pugmarks all round where
the unfortunate donkey had been tied. In his frantic efforts to
save himself the donkey had eventually succeeded in uprooting
the small tree to which he was tied, and without a moment's
hesitation made a straight line for camp, dragging the tree, and
followed for a short way by the lion. The lion hadn't merely
come up and walked round the donkey marks were visible
;
where he had sat down within a few yards of him and wisked the
sand with his tail, in his pleasure at the toothsome morsel so close
within his grasp.
THE LEOPARD
Felis pardus, Linn.
Somali name, Shebel or Shebeyl
DESCRIPTION. The general or ground colour of tawny yellow

somewhat varies depending on the fact whether the specimen
comes from Cuban or the Golis Range, the latter being somewhat
darker in colour while the fur is rather thicker. The whole body
is covered with black spots and black rings, the latter being chiefly
on the back and sides. Underneath, the colour fades to white.

The tail, which is long, is of the general body colour and ringed
with black, and furnished at the extreme end with a white tip.
The ears posteriorly are black at the bases.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of two females, one specimen from
Cuban, the other from the Golis Range, and a male specimen
from the Golis were as follows :
Hill variety. Plain variety. Hill variety.
? ? o*
Length of head and body .

39 \ in. 41 J in. 48 in.
tail . . .
29 28J 31
Height at shoulder . . 26 22 26^
Round
Weight ....
chest . . .
22\ 19
not taken not taken
24!
77 Ib.
From the above measurements it will be seen that both the
specimens shot on the Golis Range stand higher at the shoulder
and have a greater chest measurement. The largest specimen
seen and measured by me, unfortunately after it had been skinned,
was shot near Hargeisa by Mr. Thompson. This skin measured
8 ft. 8 in., and from its general appearance did not appear to be
14
THE LEOPARt) I $
unduly stretched so, allowing six inches for the stretching, this
magnificent leopard must have been over 8 ft. in length. This,
as far as I am aware, is a record for an African specimen.
DISTRIBUTION. Leopards are plentiful throughout Somaliland.
HABITS. Nocturnal in its habits, it is rarely seen during the

day, which it spends in caves, hollowed out of the limestone cliffs
and hills. It is more abundant in hilly country than in the bush,
finding safe retreats in the former. Its chief food consists of

sheep and goats, and when these are unobtainable, baboons and
the smaller mammals. It frequently attacks the herds while they
are grazing on the hillsides in the daytime, rapidly killing several
before being driven off by the shrieks of the children in charge.
They sometimes clear thorny zarebas six feet or more in height,
with their victim in their jaws. One moonlit night I was startled
by a struggle within six feet of me, and I was just in time to
see a leopard leaving the zareba, in which I had bivouacked for
the night, with one bound bearing one of my sheep in its mouth.
The leap was well over six feet. On another occasion I was
aroused by yelling at night, and on going up to the karia whence
the noise came, I was shown a thorn enclosure completely covered
over, forming it into a hut, through the top and sides of which
one could just distinguish the white coats of the sheep and goats
I was shown a small
within. opening in the roof about eight
feet from the ground, through which a leopard had entered and
retreated, carrying away one of the sheep. The Somalis say that
the leopard first leaps on top of one of these enclosures, and then
ascertains where there is a small opening by letting his tail down
through the thorn branches, and as soon as he finds his tail enters
easily, he turns round and forces his way inside, seizes his victim,
and dives out through the same opening.
The rapidity of their movements is marvellous in an incredibly
short space of time they will lay out half a dozen sheep and,
seizing one, make off. If a leopard kills during the daytime and
is driven off, it
invariably returns an hour or two before sundown
to the scene, in the hope of finding something left. If four or more
animals are killed at one time and left where they were killed, the
leopard will return night after night until the meat is finished,
hiding what it was unable to eat up the nearest tree, out of the
l6 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
reach of jackals and hyaenas. I have seen as many as three

whole sheep up a tree.
Leopards occasionally become man-eaters this propensity I
should say is hereditary, as I have only known of man-eating
leopards in one locality, and that is a place called Daraas, on the
Golis Range. Near this place there are a number of Somali
graves, the occupants of which have all been killed by leopards
probably a single leopard. This leopard was fortunately shot, but
about two and a half years afterwards another started man-eating
in exactly the same locality. The Somalis have a name for the
man-eating leopard, which they consider a different animal from the
ordinary cattle thief. The man-eater is known by the name
Leopards, even when wounded, invariably try to
<(
Urgobeh."
get away, and I have never known them to attack a human being
unless brought to bay. I on"* one occasion saw an old woman,
whose sheep a leopard had killed, approach the leopard, which had
been wounded and was trying to slink away, and throw stones at
it,while the leopard merely snarled at her. On another occasion I
shot a leopard up a tree where it had been driven by a crowd of
Somalis, who had chased it with spears and wounded it in the
shoulder. The Somali has little or no fear of the leopard.
THE PIGMY LEOPARD
Felis pardus nanopardus, Thos.
Somali name, Shebcl or Shebeyl
DESCRIPTION. Never having seen this small leopard, which

apparently only inhabits the Southern Haud, I will quote from the
"
Annals and Magazine of Natural History," ser. 7, vol. xiv.,
August 1904, in which it was first described by Mr. Thomas from
specimens obtained by Major Dunn, R.A.M.C. A leopard of the :
"
ordinary African desert type, but conspicuously smaller than any

other member of the group. Fur short, hairs of back only about
10 mm. in length. Coloration as usual in East African leopards,
the general tone pale, the ground-colour along the dorsal area pale
buffy or creamy-buffy, gradually passing into white on the belly
and limbs. Spots small, more or less elongated on the anterior
back rosettes not well defined or conspicuous.
;
Spotting on
limbs extending to the toes. Teeth as usual except for their
smaller size."
MEASUREMENTS of stretched skins of a male and female were

as follows :
Length of head g $
and body . 1 1
50 mm. or 3 ft. 9 in. 1070 mm. or 3 ft. 6 in.
Length of tail .
650 2 \\ 580 I II
Total length . 1800 5 10^ 1650 5 5
DISTRIBUTION. The pigmy leopard (of which up to date only

three specimens have been obtained, while one of these, namely
Captain Johnson-Stewart's, was lost), as far as is at present known,
is found only in the
Nogal Valley and the Ogaden country. Dunn
obtained both his two specimens 40 miles west of Gorahai on the
Tug Fafan.
'7 2
1 8 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
HABITS.Nothing is as yet known of the habits of this

leopard, but they are probably very similar to those of other
leopards. Once on the edge of the Nogal Valley, while making
my way through thick bush, I came upon a small leopard sleeping
under a tree. I had no rifle at the time, so was unable to shoot it,
but at the time, although smaller than any leopards I had seen, it
gave me the idea of being a full-grown animal, and very possibly
it might have been this
species.
Leopards are usually found in rocky country, while this animal
was in the sandy, waterless bush country. Possibly the pigmy
leopard inhabits country of this sort.
THE SERVAL
Felis serval, Erxleben.
Somali name, Dinad habashi or Shebel adari
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the serval varies from

a tawny yellow to a bright yellowish brown above and creamy
white below. covered with black spots except on the neck
It is
and back, where there are a series of longitudinal black stripes.

The animal in appearance looks something like a small cheetah.
The ears are similar to the cheetah's, having a black transverse
band posteriorly.
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements of a skin in the British

Museum are :
Length of head and body . < . . 2 ft. 10 in.
Length of tail . . . . . . I
3
DISTRIBUTION. As far as I have been able to ascertain, the

serval only found towards the west in the direction of Abyssinia,
is
"
where there is a plentiful supply of tall " durr grass for it to hide
in during the heat of the day, and grassy plains for it to wander
over by night.
As its Somali name signifies, it is known to the Somalis as the
Abyssinian cat. I have never seen it myself in Somaliland, although
Captain Cox obtained a specimen in Northern Somaliland. This
specimen is now in the British Museum.
HABITS. It lives entirely on small mammals and birds. It is
nocturnal in its spending the day sleeping in the long grass.
habits,
It is very shy, and seldom seen by day unless hunted out of the
I have tried to tame the
grass by dogs. kittens, but with little
success but I have seen one or two become quite tame.
;
THE WILD CAT
Felis ooreata, Gmel.
Somali name, Dinad sabad
DESCRIPTION. This wild cat is not unlike our tabby cat in

appearance, but is much paler. The general colour is grey, with
more or less distinct spots and stripes about it. The underfur is
ochraceous.
MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen in the flesh :
Length of head and body . , ... V 23 in -
of V
Round body
tail .
. ... . .
. .
.
.
I4i
io
Height at shoulder . ~. . ,
. . 13
DISTRIBUTION. I this cat on Cuban, but

have never seen
doubtless it is found on Ogo Guban and
to be found there. It is
in Ogo, but is by no means common. I have seen it on three
occasions at Odweina, 100 miles south of Berbera.
HABITS. It is very shy, and spends the day hidden away in

the dense undergrowth commonly found in the bush country which
it invariably inhabits. It preys upon birds, hares, and small
mammals, and doubtless occasionally on dik-diks. It is difficult
to tame, even when taken young.
THE CARACAL OR LYNX
Felis caracal, Giild.
Somali name, Gududonneh
DESCRIPTION. The general colour is reddish grey with some

black-tipped hairs on the back, rendering it darker than the rest
the colour is paler on the sides, and is nearly white underneath
with faint pinkish fawn-coloured spots. The ears are black with
spangles of grey hairs, and furnished with a tuft of long black
hairs at tip of each ear. The tail is of the general body colour.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male shot on Cuban :
Tail ....
Head and body
Height at shoulder
. . . . . . .
36
9
15
in.
DISTRIBUTION. The caracal is be found throughout

to
Somaliland, but is distinctly rare. I have only twice seen it
alive once in captivity at Berbera and once near the Arori
plain. Several have, of late years, been trapped on Cuban.
HABITS. It is nocturnal in its habits, sleeping throughout

the day in thick preys chiefly on birds and small
bush. It
mammals, and frequently attacks sheep and goats in the daytime.

Dik-diks probably furnish their chief food supply.
21
THE CHEETAH OR HUNTING LEOPARD
Cynselurus jubatus, Elliot
* , Somali name, Harimdt or Harimdd
DESCRIPTION. The cheetah is easily distinguished from the
leopard at a distance, owing to its long legs and lighter colouring.

The general colourdull yellow covered all over with small
is
black spots, seldom exceeding in size a shilling piece except on the

hindlegs, where they may be as large as a florin. The hair on the
back of the neck and shoulders is coarser and thicker and resembles
a mane this mane
or crest of long hair is very noticeable in the
young. From the inner canthus of the eye to the mouth on
each side is a distinct black band, and a similar transverse black
band is found posteriorly at the bases of the ears, the tips of
the latter being of the general body colour. The legs are long,
and the feet furnished with only partially retractile claws. The
general colour of the young is grey, with indistinct black markings
but with a very noticeable woolly mane on the back and shoulders.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a female shot in the Khansa

bush country :
Head and body . . . t . . 3 ft. 4 in.
Length of tail . . , . . * i n
2
Height at shoulder
Round body
7
. .
,.
.
.
. ...
. . > 2,,
i
9^
Weight . 55 lb.
DISTRIBUTION. The cheetah is commonest in the thick bush

country on the edge of the Haud, although it is to be found both
pn Cuban and Ogo-Guban.
22
THE CHEETAH OR HUNTING LEOPARD 23
HABITS. The hunting leopard, although chiefly nocturnal, is

frequently seen in the daytime. They are perhaps more often
seen in pairs than singly probably finding it easier to hunt
together than alone. Their chief food consists of the small sand
antelopes (dik-diks). I heard of a case of a cheetah on one
occasion climbing a small tree, while being hunted by dogs on
Guban, but I fancy this to be of rare occurrence, as they can
with little exertion outstrip any dog. They never run very far
without stopping to turn and gaze at their pursuers, whom they
not infrequently allow to come to within fairly close quarters,
when they gallop off again at a great pace.
They prefer to live in the low bush country, where they in
all probability find it easier to procure their food. I once saw a
pair devouring a dik-dik, and as soon as they had finished I went
and examined the spot and found only a small piece of skin
remaining. The very young cubs are rather difficult to rear,
although with a little trouble they will suckle a goat the milk,
however, never seems to agree with them, and after some weeks
they usually succumb to enteritis. Three or four cubs usually
form a litter. When successfully reared they make delightful
pets, and will follow their master just like a dog.
FAMILY VIVERRIDÊ
GENUS-GENETTA
G. dongolensis
GENUS HERPESTES
H. albicauda
H. ochraceus
H. ochraceus fulYidior
H. ochraceus perfulvidus
GENUS HELOGALE
H. atkinsoni
H. hirtula
GENUS CROSSARCHUS
C. somalicus
THE GENET
Genetta dongolensis, Hempr. and Ehr.
Somali name, Dinaa
DESCRIPTION. General colour is grey, with well-marked brown

spots, arranged more or less longitudinally. In the two upper-
most rows on each side, the spots are so close together as to give
the appearance of two brown lines. Along the middle line of the
back is a crest of long black erectile hairs. The forelegs are
grey, while the hindlegs are grey on their anterior surfaces and
black posteriorly from a point just above the knees. The tail
from base to tip consists of bands more or less equal in breadth, of
black and white. Under the large round eyes is a small patch of
white. Near the anus are two glands, from which a straw-coloured
strong-smelling secretion is emitted. The Somalis have no special
name for the genet.
MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen shot in Berbera were :
Head and body . . .

17^ in. or 428 mm.
Tail . . .
17 425
Hindfoot . .
3 75
Ear . .2 50
Round body 6| 1 68
Height at shoulder . . . .
7f 193
Round neck . .- . . .
4^ 106
Length of neck 4 100
DISTRIBUTION. This genet is found throughout Northern

Somaliland. It is perhaps commoner on the Golis Range than
elsewhere.
HABITS. It lives chiefly on small birds and animals, especially

the former, but will steal meat when it gets the opportunity. It
is entirely nocturnal in its habits, the day stretched out
spending
along the branch of some shady tree, such as the Euphorbia cande-
"
labra (" Hasaden ).
It is a curse to the poultry yard, visiting it
night after night until shot or trapped.
27
THE WHITE-TAILED MUNGOOSE
Herpestes albicauda, Thos.
Somali name, Songur
DESCRIPTION. This is the largest of the Somali mungooses.

The general body colour is grey the underhair may be white or
;
slaty grey; the long hairs are coarse and are banded black and
white except along the back, where they are wholly black, giving
the general body colour a darker appearance in that part. The
four extremities from the elbows and knees respectively are jet
black. The tail is of the general body colour except for its
terminal half, which is pure white.
MEASUREMENTS. Of skins only :
(i) From Guban.
Head and body . . , .21 in.
Tail . . .
(ii) From Golis Range.

Head and body . . . , .. 24^ in.
Tail . . . . . . . 17
(with terminal hairs) . . . . 21 \
DENTITION. *.
f, c. = \,pm. ,
m. f = 20.
DISTRIBUTION. This mungoose is found both on Guban and

on the Golis Range the specimens from the latter locality are
;
usually larger and darker in colour.
HABITS. It is seldom seen in the daytime, and seems to have

a preference for stony country. In other respects it resembles the
other members of its tribe in its habits.
THE YELLOW MUNGOOSE
Herpestes ochraceus, Gray
Somali name, Sorgur
DESCRIPTION. This mungoose is tawny in colour with a

slightly grizzled appearance, owing to the hairs on the back being
banded black and yellow.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a specimen obtained at Jifa

Medir, near Hargeisa, are :
Head and body , ,

. . .. . .
269 mm.
Tail. . .. .
-
; .. .. . . 273
Hindfoot. . . . . ,,- . 50
Ear. . . . . . 25
DISTRIBUTION. The type specimen of this species is labelled

" "
Abyssinia but nothing is known of the exact locality. The
;
above specimen was obtained near Hargeisa, so it is probably

found throughout Northern Somaliland, especially in the hilly
regions in the Jibril Aboukr and Gadabursi countries.
HABITS. It resembles in habits the others of the same group,

and is only seen singly or in pairs. It is undoubtedly a rare
mungoose.
29
THE TAWNY MUNGOOSE
Herpestes ochraceus fulvidior, Thos.
Somali name, Sorgur
DESCRIPTION. The general body colour of this mungoose is
grizzly ochraceous above and buffy white below. The tail is the
same colour as the back, namely tawny, except for its terminal
third, which is black.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a female trapped at Shimbiraleh,

in Guban, were as follows :
Head and body mm.

Tail.
Hindfoot
........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
267
245
49
Ear. . .
'
. . . 25
DISTRIBUTION. This mungoose is rare. I have only met

with it on Guban.
HABITS. It inhabits thick bush along the watercourses on

Guban. Although I have never seen it except on Guban, a
specimen was obtained by C. V. A. Peel near Aik. The Somalis
have given this and the following species the name " Sorgur "
"
owing to their greedy habits. The word means take away food."
They assert that when a sheep dies, these mungooses will occupy
holes near by until they have finished it.
THE RED MUNGOOSE
Herpestes ochraceus perfulvidus, Thos.
Somali name, Sorgur
DESCRIPTION. This is the most beautiful of the Somali mun-

gooses. The
general body colour isbright ochraceous above and
a creamy white below. The tail is of the general body colour, only
more tawny with its terminal third jet black.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male and female specimen

trapped at Ber, 17 miles east of Burao:
cT ?
Head and body . . , .
322 mm. 230 mm.
Tail .
.247 214
(with terminal hairs) . .
277
Hindfoot . . . . . . 52 45
Ear. . .
27 23
DISTRIBUTION. All my specimens were caught at Ber, where

they appear to be fairly common. I fancy they are to be found
throughout the Haud and the red-earth country. I have seen
them also near Odweina wells. Major Dunn, R.A.M.C., obtained
a specimen near Wardair.
HABITS. They are frequently seen during the heat of the day,
when their bright fur is most conspicuous. They usually go about
in pairs ;
but I have seen as many as four together. They are
probably, as Mr. Thomas suggests, the representatives in the red-
earth country of the Abyssinian H. ochraceus.
ATKINSON'S MUNGOOSE
Helogale atkinsoni, Thos.
Somali name, Shug-shug
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this mungoose is grizzled

grey above and rufous below. The fur is somewhat long, coarse,
and shaggy. Tail similar to general body colour.
MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen shot at Horo, about 50
miles south-west of Bulhar.
Head and body . . . \ . .

230 mm.
Tail . . ... . . 170
Hindfoot . . . . . . 37
Ear . . . , . 17
DISTRIBUTION. Found among the Golis foothills and in the

hilly country between Bulhar and Hargeisa. Major Dunn
obtained a specimen in the Ogaden country.
HABITS. I have always seen it in company with several

others on one occasion there were at
;
least twenty together this
was in the Sansieviera bush country. On being surprised they
make a peculiar grating noise resembling chic-churr-rr> and they
keep thisup incessantly from among the bushes until the intruder
takes his departure.
THE SHAGGY MUNGOOSE
Helogale hirtula, Thos.
DESCRIPTION. This mungoose is very similar to H. atkinsoni,

but differs from it in having the fur longer, coarser, and shaggier.
MEASUREMENTS from a specimen obtained by Major Dunn in
the Ogaden country.
Head and body . . . . . .
230 mm.
Tail 166
Hindfoot 48
Ear 18
DISTRIBUTION. The only specimen as yet known is the one

obtained by Dunn at Gabridshari, 60 miles west of Gerlogobi
Wells. From this specimen Mr. Thomas described the species as
new.
HABITS. The habits of this mungoose are not known.

Personally I have never seen it.
33
THE BANDED MUNGOOSE
Crossarchus somalicus, Thos.
Somali name, Shug-shug
DESCRIPTION. This is the commonest of the Somali mun-

gooses. The general colour is grizzled brown or grey. The
long hairs are so arranged on the back that the bands of black
come together, thus giving it the banded appearance.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult female shot at Sheikh
were as follows :
Head and body . .... . .

370 mm.
Tail 275
. .
v .
|||
. . . .
Hindfoot . Y * . . . . 80
Ear . '-.
25
DISTRIBUTION. I have never seen this mungoose on the

coast, nor within twenty miles of it. Starting at the Golis foot-
hills about thirty-five miles from Berbera, it is found in suitable
localities almost to the edge of the waterless Haud.
HABITS. The Shug-shug, to give it its Somali name, is invari-

ably seen in packs of anything from ten to a hundred individuals.
They always appear to be in a hurry when searching for food, and
look very like a swarm of small baboons as they go hopping along,
digging here and there for roots, insects, and in fact most things,
vegetable and animal, that might be considered edible. They leave
their holes soon after sunrise and return before sunset, when they
warming themselves in the last
are frequently to be seen sitting
rays of the sun. They are more commonly seen on or near the
Golis Range than elsewhere, and seem to have a predilection for
" "
stony ground. They, as a rule, take up their abode in a talo or
Galla grave, which consists of a large pile of stones, in the recesses
" "
between which they find a suitable habitation. An old dundumo
or white-ant hill is another favourite dwelling-place of theirs. They
will sometimes turn on a dog if he molests them, but as a rule they
get away as fast as they can. They emit a powerful and disagree-
able odour.
34
FAMILY PROTELIDÊ
GENUS- PRO TELES
P. cristatus
FAMILY HYÊNIDÊ
GENUS HYAENA
H. hyaena
H. crocuta
35
AARDWOLF
THE AARDWOLF
Proteles cristatus, Sparrm.
Somali name, Shambel
DESCRIPTION. The aardwolf looks not unlike a small striped

hyaena, and is about the size of the common jackal. The general
colour is a pale buff, and the hair soft and fine. Along the back,
running the whole length of the body, is a crest of long erectile
hairs which are continued on to the tail, which is short and bushy.
These hairs are thickest on the nape of the neck, and run up to
1 70 mm. in They are of a pale buff colour, banded with
length.
black. The neck is rather long, and is of a uniform buff colour
with an indistinct longitudinal stripe running the whole length of
it, starting close behind the ear and terminating at the shoulder.
The body stripes are usually six in number, and well marked. On
" "
the outer aspect of the foreleg there are six switchback stripes
close together, and on the hindleg only four. The fore- and hind-
feet are black, covered with short black shiny hairs the former
possess dew-claws. The head is dark greyish buff in colour, and
the hair on it is very short. The muzzle is black and hairless, and
the ears long. The tail is rather short, and the hairs identical with
those of the mane with exception of those hairs towards its
terminal part, which are blacker, and may be 120 mm. in
length.
DIMENSIONS. The measurements of a female aardwolf, taken

in the flesh, were as follows :
Length of head and body 25! in.
of tail . . .
9j
with terminal hairs . . . .
13$
Height at shoulder 17} ,
Round body 13
Ears 4
Weight 10 Ib.
37
DENTITION./, f, c. \>pm. f, m. \ = 32.
DISTRIBUTION. The aardwolf is found sparsely scattered

throughout Somaliland.
HABITS. Being nocturnal in its habits it is rarely seen before
sunset. They are almost invariably seen alone I have never seen
a pair together. They sleep during the day in burrows, some of
which are several yards in length, and which in all probability
have been made by an anteater. The aardwolf can do but
little harm owing to the rudimentary condition of its molar teeth.
It is possibly owing to their purely insectivorous diet that their

molar teeth, owing to lack of use, have not developed.
An aardwolf which I saw on several occasions used to occupy
a burrow within a short distance of one in which an anteater lived,
and very possibly used to follow the latter animal about in the
hope of sharing the fruits of his neighbour's labours, in the shape of
termites. Ants, termites, other insects and possibly birds' eggs

form their chief food. The aardwolf is a cowardly animal, and
easily killed by a plucky fox-terrier. I have known a bull-terrier
enter a burrow and kill the animal inside. When it fights it emits
a powerful-smelling secretion from the two glands situated beneath
the root of the tail. The largest specimen I have seen was on
the Toyo plain it appeared to be considerably larger than the
common jackal.
THE STRIPED HY^NA
Hyaena hyaena, Linn.
Somali name, Didthir^ Whera
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the striped hyaena varies

from a brownish grey to a dark grey, according to age the former
being peculiar to the older animals. The body and legs are
covered with transverse markings of brown or black. It stands
several inches higher at the shoulders than 'the quarters, and

possesses a mane and crest of long shaggy hair. The chin and
throat are black. The Somalis say there are two distinct species
" "
of this animal, namely Didthir and " Whera," but the latter is,
I think, the older individual, of the same species, which has become
more destructive in its habits. "Whera" are always paler in

colour and more often mangy.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of
(i) "Didthir."
Head and body
Tail . . . ...
..... .
'.
.
42
12
in.
Height at shoulder 28J

quarters . . 25 \
(ii) "Whera."
Head and body . . . . . -43 in.
Tail . . . . . . . .11
Height at shoulder . . , . .' 30
Round body . . . . . .28
Weight. . . . . . . .
73 Ib
DISTRIBUTION. The striped hyaena, though considerably

rarer than the spotted variety, is found throughout Somaliland,
39
HABITS. The striped hyaena is considerably smaller than his
relative, but in his habits is very similar. Lazy and sluggish, he

carries his head low when walking along, periodically stopping to
sniff around him and then trotting on again. When disturbed he
raises his head, gazes for a few seconds, and rapidly gallops or
lumbers off. He feeds on offal his powerful jaws soon disposing
of the strongest bones. Unlike H. crocuta, he is never seen in
packs at the most two individuals being seen together, but far
more often singly. The heat of day is spent under rocks or in the
shade of bushes, where he scratches a lair for himself, emerging an
hour or so before sunset in quest of food. As age advances he
grows very destructive in his habits, hunting sheep and goats in
broad daylight and rapidly killing a number without attempting
to carry any away. It is to this destructive striped hyaena that
"
the Somalis have given the name of Whera."
THE SPOTTED HY^NA
Hyaena crocuta, Erxl.
Somali name, Waraba
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the spotted hyaena varies

considerably with the age of the individual. When young, they
are of a tawny red colour but as they grow older the fur gets
;
darker and loses its reddish colour. Standing higher in front

than behind, with massive jaws, neck and shoulders, he is at all
times a hideous beast, and, notwithstanding his undoubted strength,
is a great coward.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male shot at upper Sheikh :
Length of head and body 51 in.

tail . i
of
Height at shoulder 31^
Round body 34
arm i6J
forearm 8J
neck 19
Length of ear 4j
Weight .
115 Ib.
DISTRIBUTION. The spotted hyaena is plentiful everywhere in

Somaliland, from the maritime plain to the higher internal
plateaux.
HABITS. Nocturnal in its habits, it only leaves its cave high

up on the hillside towards sundown, and makes its way slowly
down on to the plains in quest of carrion. In thick bush country it
liesup during the heat of day under the shade of the thickest
bush it can select. It usually travels at a slow trot, stopping every
41
now and then to sniff around, and scarcely ever takes heed of where
it is Notwithstanding its awkward lumbering gait, it
going.
can move along rapidly when it chooses, and must cover many
miles during the long hours of the night. The spotted hyaena
usually goes about singly, although they have been seen in packs
They only combine when driven to desperation,
of thirty or forty.
and,when in this state, lose their cowardly nature, and have been
known to attack even the king of beasts. I have never seen more
than seven together, and they appeared to be on the warpath.
In Somaliland they are constantly attacking the herds of
sheep and goats in the daytime, although they seldom get away
with their victims. On many occasions I have koown them to
enter the Somali huts and seize the little children or old women,
inflicting the most hideous wounds. During the great smallpox
epidemic they frequently attacked those afflicted with the disease,
usually finding them an easy prey owing to their being so often

placed in a hut isolated a short distance from the others. Their
coats mangy, and sometimes covered with hideous
are usually
suppurating wounds. Their unearthly howl is so characteristic and

well known that it requires no description. They are sometimes
heard to laugh, and this is almost human, so closely does it
resemble the laugh of a demented person. It appears to be only
made when they annoyed or otherwise excited. I could
are
invariably weird
elicit this laugh from a young captive hyaena by
taking his bone away from him.
Though they will often attack horses, biting great pieces out of
their hindquarters, they seem to have a great respect for donkeys.
The latter, when tied up as a " kill " for a lion, are often molested
the whole night through by hyaenas ;
but I have never known
them to be bitten.
Although cowardly, curiously enough it is
very unwary, and is easily stalked and shot. On one night, my
camp which happened to be pitched out in the open without a
zareba round it was molested the whole night through by
hyaenas and jackals, and, notwithstanding my accounting for two
of the former and seven of the latter, they continued to annoy
until daylight dispersed them.
DIVISION CYNOIDEA
FAMILY CANIDyE
GENUS CANIS
C. variegatus
C. mesomelas
C. famelicus
GENUS -O TOC YON

0. megalotis
GENUS-LYCAON
L. pictui aoraalicua
43
THE GREY JACKAL
Canis variegatus, Cretschm.
Somali name, Dawcto
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this jackal is brownish

grey all over. The underfur is buff with long black and white
hairs distributed all over, but thicker and longer along the middle
line of the back. The tail, which is usually scraggy, is pale
ochraceous brown, with a brown or black tip.
MEASUREMENTS of a female in the flesh were :
Head and body .\ . . . . .25 in.

Tail (without terminal hairs) . . ., -
t
.
\\\
Height at shoulder . . . V . . 17
Ear (front) V .. . * ?.
'
. . 4j
Ear (behind) . . . . , , , 4j
DISTRIBUTION. All over Somaliland this jackal is more or
lesscommon, but it is perhaps commoner on the Golis, whereas C.
mesomelas is commoner on Cuban. Curiously enough, this is the
only jackal I have seen at Sheikh, where it is very common.
HABITS. This jackal is very noisy, and may be heard giving

vent to its weird wail every evening at sunset. It usually gives
vent to a peculiar spasmodically uttered cackling sound when

hungry, or when it sees a hyaena, which it often runs at, trying to
bite at him, and the whole time keeping up this noise and following
in the hyaena's wake. I have seen this jackal act thus on more
than one occasion. They are very cowardly, even more so than
their black-backed relative. This jackal appears to me to be
commoner in the open country, while C. mesomelas prefers the
thick bush.
45
THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL
Canis mesomelas, Schreb.
Somali name, DawcCo
DESCRIPTION. This, the common African jackal, is one of the

prettiest of its genus. The general colour on the back is black
with spangles of grey hairs on the sides the fur is rufous, fading
;
underneath. The head is rufous. The tail, which is usually more

bushy than that of other members of the genus, is reddish yellow
with the terminal portion nearly black.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male specimen were :
Head and body , . . . . .

27! in.
Tail . . ;
,. .
.* . .
13!
Height at shoulder . . , , , .
19
"
Round chest . . . .
'
*5
r
Weight . '. i ..". * .....,; . .' .- 17 Ib.
DISTRIBUTION. This jackal is common all over Somaliland.
HABITS. Nocturnal in its habits, it is frequently seen an hour

or two after sunrise and an hour or two before sunset. It is very
tame, and will come when hungry within a few yards of the camp.
It seems to be bolder than the other species, and is frequently
found following the small goats about, awaiting an opportunity to
seize and kill one. On one occasion I was passing a small herd of
young goats grazing in the bush, when I heard yells from the
women in charge. On my inquiring the reason of their cries, they
pointed out one of these jackals, which they told me had been
responsible for the death of four kids during the past fortnight.
They implored me to shoot him, as he had given them no peace
since they came to that locality. He used to follow the herd of
kids about all day, awaiting his chance to bag one.
46
THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL 47
On another occasionI was just too late to see another of these

"
jackals which had taken unto itself as a companion a " pariah
dog. These two were well known to the Somalis, and used to
hunt together. The dog, which had formerly belonged to some
Midgan hunters, had been beaten and driven from the karia,
so became wild. I tried hard to come up with this quaint pair, but
they had disappeared into the bush. They are practically omni-
I have seen them
vorous. greedily catching and devouring locusts.
They do not appear to be quite so noisy as C. variegatus.
THE DESERT FOX
Canis famelicus, De Wint.
Somali name, Dawa'o
DeWinton's description of this fox is as follows " Fur very :
long, soft and dense general colour soft fawn more or less inter-
;
spersed with coarser grizzled hairs often giving it a steel blue tint.
Ears very long, rich fawn colour the face paler, yellowish buff
;
with strong brown patches immediately above the whiskers, the

dark colour slightly modified, encircles the eyes. Along the dorsal
line the fur is redder than on the sides, the underfur being grey
tipped with reddish brown. There are reddish patches on the

back of the hindlegs above the heel. The tail is very thick and
bushy along its whole length with a very distinct white tag."
MEASUREMENTS of a female obtained near Berbera by Dr.
Atkinson are :
Head and body . . . .

'
,. .
445 mm.
Tail . . -., . . . . .
345
Hindfoot : ., . . ... . . , 122
Ear . . . . . . * ". 100
DISTRIBUTION. This fox, as far as I know, is only found on

the maritime plain near Berbera, but it probably extends right
along the coast eastwards.
HABITS. The only ones

I have seen a family of four are, I
fancy, still on one of the small sugarloaf hills on the
to be found
maritime plain within two or three miles of Berbera. On chasing
one of these foxes one day I followed it to the top of a low conical
rocky hill on the summit of which there was an enormous slab of
stone ;
under this stone lived a small family of these foxes. Strewn
around the entrance were bones of every description, human as
well as animal, but it is difficult to say whether or not these foxes
were responsible for the collection.
48
THE LONG-EARED FOX.
Otocyon megalotis, Desm.
Somali name, Golleh waraba
DESCRIPTION. This beautiful little fox has a dark-grey appear-

ance. The
underfur in the dorsal region is mummy-brown with
the basal part slate-white, while the terminal portion of the longer
hairs is black with a white band through the middle of it, giving
the whole a general grey colour. On the flanks the underfur
fades into buff ;
the throat and belly being of the same colour.
The chin, fore and hind feet are black, while the forehead is light
grey. The ears are very long, brown at base and black towards
the tips. Tail generally very bushy, general colour buff brown
with the hairs along the top tipped with black right up to the tip
of the tail, which is quite black.
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements of an adult male among

my specimens, are :

437 mm.
Tail 285
"
Ear ." . . . . / . 120
:
Weight . .> , .'-..' ^ . 6J lb.
DISTRIBUTION. Found all over the internal plateau of Somali-

land from the Golis Range away into the Haud.
HABITS. It is usually stated that the long-eared fox is only
seen singly or in pairs this, curiously enough, has not been my
experience in Somaliland. I have more often seen them in small
packs than alone or in pairs. On one occasion near Upper Sheikh
I came upon at least ten out foraging together. The long-eared
fox is
quite harmless and is easily tamed, making a delightful pet.
In their wild state one usually sees them smelling along the
ground digging here and there, for insects presumably. I have
never heard them make any noise. They are very common on
the Golis Range, but seem to get scarcer towards the Haud, where,
curiously enough, I have never seen more than three together.
The Somali name " Golleh waraba " means " possessor of a neck
like a hyaena."
49 4
THE SOMALI WILD DOG
Lycaon piotus so malleus, Thos.
Somali name, Yeyi
DESCRIPTION. The Somali wild dog has only lately been

given subspecific rank by Mr. Thomas owing to its " smaller size
and its excessively sparse and short fur." The general colour is
dark, patches of black and yellow. The undersurface is almost
naked. The muzzle and centre of crown are black. The fore-
limbs are marbled black and white. Hind-limbs buffy yellow
above, the feet black and white. Tail not forming a very thick
brush, its short-haired yellow base shorter than the black mesial
and white terminal portions. The above is Mr. Thomas's descrip-
tion of a specimen obtained by Major Dunn, R.A.M.C., at Gorahai
on the Tug Fafan in Ogaden.
MEASUREMENTS of this specimen, an old female, in the flesh
were :
Head and body % . . . '..*'. .

890 mm.
Tail 280
Hindfoot
Ear.
.
...
. . . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 193
. .
115
DISTRIBUTION. The wild dog is very rare in Northern

Somaliland, but is frequently seen in the Ogaden country,
according to native accounts. Personally I have never seen
one.
HABITS. -They are said to invariably go in packs, and when

hungry will attack and drive off their kills any of the larger
Carnivora.
DIVISION ARCTOIDEA
FAMILY MUSTELID^
GENUS MELLIVORA
M. ratel
THE RATEL
Mellivora ratel, Sparrm.
Somali name, Hor
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the ratel is jet black

with a broad band of grey extending the whole length of the back
from one inch above the eye to about half-way on to the tail.
There is generally a more or less distinct white stripe separating
the grey of the back from the black of the underparts. The fur is
coarse and not very thick. The ears are quite small in comparison
to the size of the animal. The claws on the forefeet are long
and powerful, and specially adapted for digging purposes.
MEASUREMENTS of the stretched skin of a fine male shot by

me on the Arori plain :

896 mm.
Tail . . . . . ; ". . 269
DENTITION./, f, c. \,p. ,
m. \ ;
total 32.
DISTRIBUTION. The ratel is to be found both on Cuban,

within thirty miles of the sea, and also in the Haud and Nogal.
HABITS. The ratel lives in holes in the ground, and when

pursued will
invariably make for the nearest one. Though
nocturnal in its habits it constantly seen about in the daytime.
is
I have seen it singly and in small families of four or five individuals.
It cannot travel very fast, and is not difficult to overtake on foot.

When in motion it lumbers along like a diminutive bear on all
and when hunted it will sometimes turn on its pursuer in the
fours,
most savage manner.
The ratel is said to be omnivorous, but personally I have
usually seen it going along slowly scratching the earth up for
insects, etc.
The Somali's are very afraid to tackle it, as they firmly believe
that when it bites a man it renders him impotent.
S3
ORDER UNGULATA
S UB-ORDERAR TIODA CTYLA
DIVISION PECORA
FAMILY BOVIDÊ
SUB-FAMILY BUBALIN/E
GENUS B UBALIS
B. swaynei
GENUS DAMALISCUS
D.jimela
55
SWAYNE'S HARTEBEEST
Bubalis swaynei, Scl.
Somali name, Sig
DESCRIPTION. This hartebeest is only found in Western

Somaliland and the adjoining parts of Abyssinia as far west as the
Great Rift Valley. In its size and the shape of its horns it is
somewhat similar to Coke's hartebeest, but can easily be dis-
tinguished from it by its very dark coloration. The general
colour is a pale chocolate, rather darker on the sides than in the
middle line ; owing to the fact that the hairs on the top of
this is
the withers and the back are faded at the tips. The general
down
colour fades into a pale reddish fawn on the abdomen. On each
side of the body there is an indistinct black smudge; this same
smudge is found on the anterior aspect of each rump. On the
shoulders and upper portion of the forelegs is a shining black patch,
while on the lower part of the forelegs there is another more or
less faintly marked black patch. The colour of the upper part of
the tail is similar to that on the rumps, the terminal portion con-
sisting of long black hairs. The colour of the head and neck is
darker than the general body colour, while the space between the
eyes and muzzle is very dark brown or black. The ears are very
much paler in colour than the rest of the head and neck, and are
rufous with a tendency to black towards the tips. The horns seldom
exceed 17 in. in length in the males and 14 in. in the females, and
in the former are stout and the annulations well marked.
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements in the flesh of an adult

male shot byme on the plains to the westward of Ilargeisa were
as follows :
57
Length from nose to root of tail . . .

107 in.
of tail . .
(with terminal hairs) . . . .
Height at shoulder 51
Horns :
Length on front curve ... . . ,' .

15 j in.
Tip to tip. i . . . : .
24f
Circumference . . . . . . .
g\
DISTRIBUTION : The Sig is only found on the open plains to
the west and south-west of Hargeisa, extending as far south as the
Toyo plain, whither he strays during the rains (May-August). In
scattered herds I have seen them as far south-west as Gomoleh in
the Boran country.
HABITS. The Sig is easily singled out in the distance from

other antelopes on the plains owing to its peculiar shape, lumbering
gait when in motion and its almost black appearance. Like other
members of the same genus, this hartebeest stands very much
higher at the withers than the hind quarters, the latter appearing
to fall away. When disturbed he lumbers off in an ungainly way
for a hundred yards or so and then stands gazing at the hunter.
He keeps on (repeating these tactics until a shot is fired, when
he may run for miles. The staying power of the hartebeest is
remarkable, far exceeding that of the oryx or the other antelopes
inhabiting the open plains.
THE TOPI HARTEBEEST
Damalisous jimela, Matsch.
Somali name, Topi
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this small and beautiful

hartebeest ispurplish brown, the coat being always very glossy.
The forehead, nose, and lower lip are black and there are also black
markings on the upper part of the forelegs and thighs. In size it
is no bigger than the lesser kudu, but is more heavily built than
the latter. The horns, which are stout, and more or less lyre-
shaped, are found in both males and females.
MEASUREMENTS. Unfortunately I never took the measure-

ments of my Somali specimen.
DISTRIBUTION. I shot the Topi on the north bank of the

Juba River, opposite Yonte, in 1902. At that time there were
several small herds there, and also on the south bank in British
territory. How far north it extends, however, I have been unable
to ascertain. The farthest point westwards that I have shot it is
at the base of the Nandi escarpment, near the north-eastern shores
of the Victoria Nyanza.
HABITS. The Topi I have never seen in large herds in point

of fact, seldom more than twenty or thirty individuals together
this is what I frequently saw on both banks of the Juba River, but
possibly, where the grazing is superior, they are to be found in large
herds. Like other hartebeests, their staying power is marvellous.
59
SUB-FAMILY NEOTRAGINiC
GENUS-OREOTRAGUS
0. somalicus
GENUS DORCA TRA G US

D. melanotis
GENUS MADOQ, UA
M. phillipsi
M. swaynei
M. kirkii
GENUS RHYNCHOTRAGUS
R. guntheri
61
THE SOMA.LI KLIPSPRINGER
THE SOMALI KLIPSPRINGER
Oreotragus somalicus, Neum.
Somali name, AHkut
DESCRIPTION. The Klipspringer is the most peculiar of all

the Somali antelopes, especially as regards the bristly hair of its
coat and the cylindrical formation of its hoofs, on the very tips of
which it appears to balance itself when on the alert. In the coat,
each hair looks not unlike a diminutive porcupine quill, giving the
whole a speckled bristly appearance. The tail is very short. The
hair on the abdomen and chest is of a creamy white colour with a
tinge of pink in it. The horns, which are short and straight, rise
up vertically from the skull, and are parallel to each other through-
out their extent they are annulated for about half their extent,
and seldom exceed 4 in. in length. The hoofs, as above
mentioned, are peculiar both the fore and hind ones being abso-
lutely identical they are perhaps more conical than cylindrical
in shape. As a rule, only the males bear horns.
MEASUREMENTS. The following are measurements of one shot
on the Golis Range :

30^ in.
Length of tail 3
Weight 25 Ib.
Horns :
Length 4^ in.
Circumference at base 2
Ti P to tip 3j
63
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male shot near Gidil, Golis

Range :
Head and body in.

V 29
. . . , . .
Tail ... .
..' . . . . .'
3
Height at shoulder V .
:
. . . .21
Round body '.-'. ^
. . . . . 20
Horns :
Length .
3/F in.
Circumference at base . . . . . .
if
Tip to tip .
";',..;
.... . .
if
DISTRIBUTION. The Klipspringer is found at an altitude of
3,000 to 6,000 ft. on the Golis Range and Waggar Mountain, the
Assa Range, and occasionally on some of the rocky hills at the

back of the Golis Range in Ogo-guban.
HABITS. The which it displays when bounding from
agility
rock to rock short of marvellous
is little no spot or ledge of rock
;
seems to be too small for it to find a foothold. It is by no

means difficult to approach, owing to the fact that it is
extremely inquisitive. If the observer sits down and remains

motionless, it will often remain standing and gazing at him,
giving vent, periodically, to a peculiar noise, which somewhat

resembles the spasmodic blowing of a toy trumpet. On one
occasion I sat down and watched, for fully half an hour, a pair
with a youngster. They were annoyed when I first surprised them,
especially the female,who kept on making the peculiar noise
described above, but as soon as she had satisfied herself that I
meant no harm, she sat herself down on the ledge of a rock and
gazed across the ravine at me. Her example was soon followed by
her offspring, but the male, who had all along been trying to hide
himself behind the rocks and bushes, having now concluded that he
was secure, emerged from behind a bush and remained standing the
whole time with his eyes fixed on his mate. They all kept on
flicking their ears and shaking their heads as though annoyed by
flies. As a matter of fact I have never seen a dead klipspringer
whose coat did not harbour a wealth of the irritating dog-flies
(Iiippoboscidce). very easy to tame, and makes a delightful
It is
from the spot where it has been brought up.
pet, never straying far
Like the Gerenuk, some Somalis won't eat the meat of this antelope.
THE BEIRA
Dorcatragus melanotis, Menges
Sohiali name, Beira
DESCRIPTION. This beautiful little antelope is peculiar to the

Somali country. Herr Menges, from whose specimens it was first
described, was the first sportsman to shoot it, although Swayne
had known of its existence and had actually seen it some time
previously. Its chief peculiarities consist in the very large ears
which male completely hide the short horns, rendering them
in the
indistinguishable from the females at a short distance, and the

round, padded hoofs on which they can so nimbly and so silently
elude the sportsman. The general colour of the Beira is a glossy
grey with a tinge of pink in it. Warm pinkish fawn (Cox).
Underneath and on the lower part of the sides the colour is first
whitish, then pinkish fawn, and the latter is separated from the
grey of the back by a distinct stripe, as is seen in the gazelles.
This which is of a dark purplish grey, is caused by the
stripe,
blending of the grey of the back and the pinkish fawn of the sides.
The tail, which is rather short and somewhat bushy, is of the same
colour as the back, while the legs, lower part of haunches and
head, with the exception of the frontal portion, which is rufous, are
of a fawn colour. The hair of the back has the appearance as
though had
it been singed. Round the eyes there is an indistinct
whitish ring. The ears, which are of the same colour as the head,
have an edging of dark brown or black hairs. The hoofs, some-
what larger in the fore than hind feet, are furnished underneath
with cartilaginous pads, which not only prevent them slipping
when running or jumping on rocky ground, but assist them
materially, when hunted, in getting away silently. The horns,
which seldom exceed 4^ in. in length, are only found in the
65 5
males. They are almost straight, but with a slight anterior curve,
and are prominently ribbed for the first two inches and smooth
and polished for the remainder of their extent. They closely

resemble the horns of the oribi.
MEASUREMENTS :
*
Length from nose to root ^ $ $ ^
of tail . . . .
32 in. 33 j in. 33 & in. 32^ in.
Length of tail .
^ 2\ 3 2\ |2j
Height at shoulder .
,
."'
22j 23! 2Oj 21 J
Round chest . . .
19 2oJ \g\ 19^
Weight . . . .22 Ib. 25 Ib. 22 Ib.
Horns :
Length on front curve .
4^ in. 4 in.
Tip to tip . . .
2j 2|
Circumference at base 2 2
From the above measurements it will be seen that the beira
female is very much the same size and weight as a klipspringer.
DISTRIBUTION. The beira has a wider distribution than is
generally supposed, as it is to be found on most of the flat-topped

hills in British Somaliland. It is perhaps commoner among the
Gadabursi Hills than elsewhere, but on the hills to the westward of
Bulhar, around Issituggan, on Hegepo and the Dubar Range, and
further south on Negegr and the hills south of Sogsodi, it is
frequently met with.
HABITS. The habits of the beira are peculiar in many respects,

the chief of them being its unwillingness to leave the place of its
choice. Even when hunted it will return again and again to the
same spot. They seen in herds of six or seven,
are usually
consisting of one or two males and the remainder does but I have ;
found them sometimes only three or four together, and on one

occasion I saw as many as twelve in one herd this was a single
herd, as I saw them again some months later together. When the
sportsman first encounters them, it is almost invariably on the flat
*
Captain Swire's specimen.
t With terminal hairs . . . . 6 in.
Ear 4| (post-measurement).
THE BEIRA 67
top, but within a short distance of the edge of a hill. On

one's
approach they immediately take to the side of the hill and run with
great rapidity over the stones just below the crest. If the hillside
is intersected by small ravines they frequently run down one side
and up the other without stopping, and invariably sooner or later

return to the spot from whence they were driven.
Judging by their tactics when hunted, they rely a great deal on
their protective coloration to escape the eye of the hunter. On
one occasion after I had driven two beira to the edge of a ravine,
and feeling certain in my own mind that in the short space of
time that had elapsed before I reached the edge they could not
have gone over the opposite crest, I sat down and carefully
scanned the opposite side, which was roughly only fifty or sixty
yards from where I sat. After one or two minutes I arose,
disgusted at losing them, and, handing my rifle to my gun-bearer,
turned to go, when the two beira seemed to come out of the stones
on the opposite side of the ravine and ran speedily over the top
before I could level my rifle at them.
As I mentioned above, they are very faithful to their favourite
locality at some particular corner of their table-topped hill, and

may be found day after day in very much the same spot. Seldom,
if ever, is more than one herd seen on the same hill. Even after
one or two members of a herd have been shot, the remainder, if not
the next day, certainly within a day or two will be found back
again.
They are distinctly difficult to shoot owing to the colour of
their coat so closely matching the general colour of their sur-
roundings. They are, however, less difficult to bag when a fog or

mist overhangs the hilltops, as is so often the case in the winter
months on the Golis Range. It is well to remember when hunting
them that the females are perceptibly larger than the males,
and that it is well never to choose the largest animal in a
herd.
THE DIK-DIKS
General Somali name, Sagdro or Sakdro
I. PHILLIPS'S DIK-DIK
Madoqua phillipsi, Thos.

Somali name, Gol Ass
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this little antelope is

grey above, cinnamon on sides fading to creamy white below.
The frontal tuft of hair is rufous. The cinnamon on the sides
varies considerably in extent according to the locality and sex.
In the Guban specimens the grey of the back extends further
on to the legs and sides and the cinnamon colour is very much
paler, almost passing into a buff. The males from Ogo and
Ogo-Guban are very much brighter in colour than the Guban
ones sometimes differing so much as to appear to be a distinct
species.*
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male shot near Upper Sheikh :
Head and body

Height
Ear .
at shoulder
...
.
.
...
.
. . -;
,
.-
.
.
;
.
-
.
2o|
14
2j
in.
Tail (with terminal hair) . . . . :. 3
Horns : #
Length ; . ...
... . . .
2f in.
Tip to tip . .
. , . . . ii
Circumference , . , . . .
\\
DISTRIBUTION. This Dik-Dik is ubiquitous in Northern

* Guban variety subspecific
I have, since writing the above, given the rank,
under the name M. phillipsi gubanensis (vide Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.,
Ser. 8, vol. iv., July 1909).
68
PHILLIPS'S DIK-DIK 69
Somaliland. Its habitat extends from the low-lying coast districts

to the Haud.
HABITS. The habits of all the dik-diks are similar. They
prefer the dry acacia-thornt bush country, and are equally agile in
the stony as the flat country. They are especially fond of the aloe
bush, where they can hide and escape observation with comparative
ease. Although somewhat shy they can usually be surprised and
bagged with a shot gun. When startled they often dash off with
a series of leaps, uttering a peculiar note resembling the words
"
Ghuss, ghuss." The Somali name for this species, namely
"
Gol Ass," means " red-sided." They all usually inhabit waterless
parts, and depend a great deal on the heavy dew for moisture.
They are never seen more than three together and usually only
two the third being their offspring.
II. SWAYNE'S DIK-DIK
Madoqua swaynei, Thos.
Somali name, Guytt
DESCRIPTION. This Dik-Dik is smaller than Phillips's, and

cinnamon has yellowish fawn on the sides.
instead of
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male specimen of mine

were :
Head and body . . . . . . .

22^ in.
Tail . .: . '. . . ... .

ij
Height at shoulder
Ear (in front)
Ear (behind)
.
.
.
.
,
. ....
.
..
. . .
.
13
2
DISTRIBUTION. It is found in the Haud and westwards as far

as the River Web.
HABITS. Similar to the foregoing.

III. KIRK'S DIK-DIK
Madoqua kirkii, Giinth.
DESCRIPTION. This Dik-Dik is somewhat similar in colour to

Swayne's and is
paler than R. guntheri, which it resembles in
other respects, not possessing quite so pronounced a muzzle.
MEASUREMENTS. No measurements in the flesh of this animal

have ever been taken, but it is practically the same size as R.
giintheri.
DISTRIBUTION. This is the most southern of all the Somali

dik-diks. The type specimen came from Brava and was named
after Sir John Kirk.
HABITS. Similar to the other dik-diks.
IV. GUNTHER'S DIK-DIK
Rhynchotragus Giintheri, Thos.
Somali name, Ghussleh or Gussuleh
DESCRIPTION. General colour grizzled yellowish grey, fading

to fawn on sides with white underneath, its great peculiarity being
its prominent and elongated snout.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male are as follows :
Head and body . . . . . . / 2iJ in.
Tail . ... .,.;. i^

Height at shoulder . . . . <. .. I2|
DISTRIBUTION. This Dik-Dik is found all over Southern

Somaliland as far south as Jubaland and west to Lake Baringo.
It is also found in the extreme west of the Somali country.
HABITS. Similar to the other dik-diks. The Somali name,

" "
Ghussleh," the meaning of which is possessor of Ghuss," is given
to it owing to its habit of darting away when surprised, giving vent
"
to a noise like Ghuss, ghuss, ghuss."
SUBFAMILY CERVICAPRINyE
GENUS COBUS
C. defassa
SUBFAMILY ANTILOPINÊ
GENUS GAZELLA
G. apekei
G. pelzelni
G. soemmeringi
GENUS LITHOCRANIUS
L. waller!
GENUS-AMMORDORCAS
A. clarkei
73
WATERBUCK
Gobus defassa
Somali name, Balengo
DESCRIPTION. The waterbuck is similar to those found on the

other rivers in Abyssinia and East Africa. Grey-brown, with a
shaggy coat all over, this handsome antelope possesses a distinctive
white patch behind on each rump. The colouring of the legs varies
greatly, from a pale brown to nearly black.
MEASUREMENTS. I have been unable to get the measure-

ments of a specimen shot in Somaliland.
DISTRIBUTION. Only found, as its name signifies, in the

vicinity of water hence rare in the Somali country. It is,
however, common on the Webi, Shebeleh, the Web and the Juba
rivers.
HABITS. During the day the waterbuck seeks the shade of the
dense bush bordering the rivers, but strays miles from the river-
banks during the night, returning as a rule at grey dawn. When
the grass is green it often does not return to the rivers for days.
74
SPEKE'S GAZELLE
Gazella spekei, Bly.
Somali name, Dhcro
DESCRIPTION. Speke's gazelle is by far the commoner of the

"
two gazelles known to the Somalis by the name Dhero." It
"
is often known as the plateau gazelle," as distinguished from
G. pelzelni, which is the lowland or maritime variety. The general
colour is brownish fawn above and white underneath, the latter
being separated from the former by a distinct lateral dark, dusky
brown band. It is somewhat smaller than G. pelzelni^ and differs
from it mainly in possessing on its nose a peculiar corrugated
protuberance, which it can inflate at will. This protuberance,
which, when uninflated, has the above-mentioned corrugated
appearance, consists of two cavities, lying side by side and com-
municating separately with each nasal cavity, and also by a
common opening with each other.
MEASUREMENTS of a stretched skin were as follows :
Length from nose to root of tail 8

of tail . . . ... f . 3 ft.
6
in.
The weight of an adult male weighed by me was 47 Ib.
Horns :
Length on front curve . . . *. .

lof in.
Tip to tip 4
Circumference . . . . . .
3f
DISTRIBUTION. Speke's gazelle is found within 12 miles

of the coast and from there onwards to the Haud, in suitable
localities.
75
HABITS. They seem to prefer the stony ground to the flat

plains, and wherever there is a stretch of stony flat at the base of a
hill or on the top of one of the numerous table-topped hills so
common in Somaliland, a herd or more of these pretty little

antelopes is sure to be found. They are usually seen in herds
of five to twelve individuals, and are quite easy to approach.
When disturbed and uncertain which way to run, they stand or
strut along flicking their tails until one of the herd gets startled
and leads them away. They seldom go very far, invariably return-
ing to their old haunts when danger has passed.
PELZELN'S, OR THE LOWLAND GAZELLE
Gazella pelzelni, Kohl.
Somali name, Dhero
DESCRIPTION. This gazelle is very similar to Speke's, but

differs from not possessing the nasal protuberance and being
it in
of a more rufous colour. The side stripe is dark rufous, and is
never dusky brown or black as in Speke's gazelle. The horns are
slightly different in thetwo species being rather more curved in
Speke's than the present species. The females of both carry horns,
but they differ from each other in that the female horns in the
" "
upland species are usually longer and more nearly resemble
"
those of the male than is the case in the " lowland variety. On
Cuban one occasionally comes across female specimens of the
upland very closely resembling those of the lowland.
MEASUREMENTS of a stretched skin were :
Head and body . , . . . . 3ft. 8J in.

Tail . \ , 5
DISTRIBUTION. Pelzeln's gazelle is only found in the desert

maritime regions, being replaced about twenty miles from the
coast by Speke's. Specimens have been obtained further inland,
but never beyond the natural barrier of the Golis Range.
HABITS. Like Speke's gazelle, they are usually found in small

families of four or five individuals, and are very easy to approach.
They browse on the stunted acacias so common on the maritime

and other short stubbly plants, and seem to require little or
plain,
no water. Like G. spekei they seem to prefer stony ground,
where there is little or no bush.
77
SOEMMERING'S GAZELLE, OR THE "AOUL"
Gazella soemmeringi, Cretsohm.
Somali name, Aoul
DESCRIPTION. The Aoul is one of the commonest of the

Somali antelopes, and undoubtedly the easiest to shoot. The
general body colour is fawn, and where this joins the white of
the underpart there is no dark band as is commonly seen in
the gazelles. The fawn on the back and sides does not extend
to the tail, being separated from it by a conspicuous white band.
The whole of the posterior part of the rump is pure white together
with the root of the the terminal portion being black.
tail, The
head very handsome,
is the whole of the frontal portion from the
space between the horns to the nose being quite black in the males
and dark brown or black in the females. There is also a faintly
marked dark eye-stripe, which is separated from the frontal patch
by an interspace of the general body colour. Both males and
females possess horns, those of the latter being very much more
slender than the former. The horns in the males normally pass
upwards, backwards, and outwards until the terminal portion is
reached, when they abruptly turn inwards, forwards, and slightly

downwards.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male in the flesh :

53 in.
of tail , . -\ . . M .
roj
Height at shoulder
'
. . . . . .
36
Horns 17 in. in the male and 16 in. in the female are the
average.
DISTRIBUTION. Soemmering's gazelle is common in suitable

"
localities.Wherever there are grassy plains " Aoul are sure
78
SOEMMERING'S GAZELLE, OR THE "AOUL" ^9
to be seen grazing in small or large herds just like sheep.On the

plains near Bulhar they are seen in small herds only, but on Toyo,
Arori, and the huge plains to the west and south-west of Hargeisa,
very large herds are frequently seen.
HABITS. They can usually be approached to within 100 or
150 yards, and if pursued on horseback can be very easily run
down. They invariably go in herds and never singly, except in the
case of an old buck who has been driven from the herd. When
hunted they always keep to the open plain. I have never seen
them eating anything except grass. On the plains they can be
seen grazing in among the herds of camels, hardly taking any
notice of them, and should a camel be used in stalking them they
can be approached within 40 or 50 yards.
THE GERENUK, OR WALLER'S GAZELLE
Lithocranius walleri, Brooke
Somali name, Gerenuk
DESCRIPTION. This peculiar antelope might well be called the

giraffe antelope, to its resemblance to that quadruped in its
owing
general appearance. Its peculiarities are its long legs, flat skull,
elongated muzzle, together with its long giraffe-like neck. The
horns, which are only present in the males, are very massive in
comparison with the skull.* The general colour of the Gerenuk is
a reddish fawn with a broad band of dark brown running down the
back and along upper third of sides. The eyes, which are large
and prominent, are surrounded by a light brownish-white band,
while the frontal portion down to the nose is of a bright rufous.
The shape of the nose and muzzle is not unlike that of a camel.
MEASUREMENTS. The following are the dimensions of a good
average male gerenuk shot in Ogo-Guban
....
:
Length of head and body , 57 in.
Length of tail 9
Round the body . . . . . .
31^
Weight .
95 Ib.
* The horns, considering their length, are remarkably massive at the base,
and look out of all proportion to the slender flat skull. On rising from the
skull they almost immediately curve backwards and upwards for half their
length, then for about a quarter, and finally quite suddenly form
upwards
hooks at the terminal quarter. The last quarter forming the hook may project
directly forwards, but more commonly forwards and slightly inwards, and never
directly inwards as in the springbuck. The terminal quarters are very
frequently unsymmetrical. The lower two-thirds of the horns are prominently
ribbed, though sometimes filled with caked mud, while the remaining one-
third is smooth and polished.
80
w
THE GERENUK, OR WALLER'S GAZELLE gl
Horns :
Length on front curve -
. . . .
14 in.
Tip to tip .
2|
Circumference at base 5|
DISTRIBUTION. The gerenuk is one of the commonest of the

Somaliland antelopes, ranging throughout the Somali country.
The most southern limit of the gerenuk, as far as I am aware, is the
country in the neighbourhood of Lake Baringo, but here they are
by no means plentiful, as I have looked for them on more than one
occasion without even coming across their spoor. North of the
Tana River they become commoner, and are fairly plentiful in
Jubaland. In the Somaliland Protectorate they are to be found on
the maritime plain within a few miles of Berbera. In Guban,
however, they are nowhere plentiful, while in Ogo-Guban and Ogo
they are very common.
HABITS. The habits of the gerenuk are somewhat character-

istic. almost entirely by browsing on the numerous species
It lives
of acacias which abound in its natural habitat. As is the case
with the domestic goats in Somaliland, the gerenuk is forced in the
drier months of the year, when the green shoots within its reach
are eaten away, to rise up on its hindlegs, with the forelegs resting
on the lower branches, and browse off the topmost branches of the
stunted acacias which are its favourite food. When disturbed it
will stand and gaze for a few seconds at the intruder and then,
shooting forward its head and lowering its neck until it is nearly
on the same plane as its back, it will trot off for a hundred yards
or so, only to come to a standstill behind some bush and
peer over
it, in order to make certain of the intentions of the sportsman.
Unlike Clarke's gazelle (" Dibatag "), he curls his tail closely round
between his haunches when running, giving the appearance as
though that appendage was wanting. The gerenuk is at times
very difficult to see when standing still, and is, on one's first
acquaintance with him, by no means easy to bag. He is to be
found wherever acacias abound, and in Somaliland that is, with
few exceptions nearly everywhere. He is frequently found in
uneven country, but prefers the flat bush country.
Sometimes, when hunted, he will take to the hillsides, but will
6
endeavour to return to the flat as quickly as possible. Gerenuk

are usually seen in small herds of six or seven, consisting of one
buck and the remainder does. The male is very well-cared-for and
by the does. I have repeatedly had to lower
protected my rifle
owing to the fact that one of the does has interposed herself in
front of thebuck on seeing him exposed. I am convinced this is
more than a mere coincidence, as it has so often happened, and I
have never seen the buck leave the does entirely. On one occasion,
after following a herd up one of the flat-topped hills so common
in Northern Somaliland, I found, on reaching the top, that one
side was almost precipitous, so I drove the herd towards this side
and got within fifty yards of them. They stood still, not knowing
which way to make off. During the whole time the buck was
closely surrounded by seven or eight does, which eventually huddled
together and jostled him off, and I never got my shot after a long
and tiring stalk.
<
CLARKE'S GAZELLE
Ammordorcas clarkei, Thos.
Somali|name, Dibatag
DESCRIPTION. This interesting animal was discovered by

T. W. H.Clarke in 1890, and is one of the most peculiar of the
Somaliland antelopes. The general colour is slaty-grey with a
pinkish tinge in it, especially on the flanks. When the sun is
shining on them the colour appears to be light bluish-grey,
rendering them very difficult to see when standing motionless in
the dried-up country in which they are commonly found. Immedi-
ately they turn and run off with tails erect, they are easily seen
owing to their white buttocks. On the face there is a frontal and
nasal chestnut patch, on each side of which is a white band.
There is also a patch of white on the throat. The tail is almost
entirely black.
Dibatag are smaller and lighter than gerenuk, and can easily
be distinguished from them. Only the males possess horns. The
horns, which are ringed for about half their extent, pass directly
backwards, upwards, and slightly outwards then, taking rather
;
a sudden bend, travel upwards, forwards, and outwards. They

seldom diverge much at the tips, 4 to 5 in. being the rule a head
in my possession, however, is as much as j^ in. from tip to tip.
The most noticeable features about this antelope are its long
neck, flat skull, and long tail, which it always erects when running-
The ears of the gerenuk and dibatag differ the former's being
pointed, while the latter's are rounded at the tips.
83
MEASUREMENTS of a male shot in the Dholbanta country :
Head and body

Tail .
Tail (with terminal hairs)

....
. . . .
46
14
15 J
in.
Round body
Height
Weight
at shoulder
.
.
.....
.
. ...
. . .
.
"... V
.
.
.
.
26^
35
about 60 Ib.
Horns :
Length
Tip to tip
.
Circumference
....
. . ..." .
:;. .
. ,
.
8f
5
3f
in.
The record head, according to Rowland Ward, measures 13 in.;

however, horns measuring loj in. are very good, and not often seen.
DISTRIBUTION. This antelope has a very much larger distri-

bution than is
usually supposed. It has been found 30 miles
north-east of Ber at Galol Dobleh (Parkinson), but it is more
commonly found throughout the Nogal Valley and the Haud to
within a few miles of Obbia on the east coast, Milmil in the west,
and the Webi Shebeleh in the south. Lately Herr Schillings
procured a head near Kilimanjaro from a native caravan, but he
was unable to ascertain how they came into possession of it.
HABITS. The habits of the dibatag are very similar to those

of the gerenuk. They occupy very similar country except that
the former are seldom, if ever, found in broken country, where the
latter are so often seen. They both inhabit the waterless tracts,
and can exist for months and months without water. Both species
are, moreover, frequently seen grazing together.
Sometimes, especially when the sun is shining on their coats,
it is rather difficult to distinguish between them until they start
to run ;
whereas the gerenuk runs with head and tail down, the
dibatag makes off with head and tail erect. The tail of the
dibatag when in motion is held almost perpendicular, while
the head is carried well back.
Dibatag, like gerenuk, are usually found singly or in small
families of three, four or five individualsfive is the largest number
I have ever seen together. Like gerenuk, they are almost entirely
CLARKE'S GAZELLE 85
browsers I have never seen them eating grass they are very
;
fond of the yellow fruit of the shinu-shinu plant. Dibatag,

according to the Somalis, are nearly always found in the same
"
country which produces the stunted trees known as
'
ged guwah.'
"
There are six trees which are usually known as the ged guwah,"
and they are all very similar in appearance. They are (i) Garone,
(ii) Rahanreb, (iii) Tebuk, (iv) Golelu, (v) Mogoleh, and (vi) Ainger.
Numbers ii, iii, and iv bear thorns, and the remainder are without
them. These trees in the dry season are generally leafless, and
the colour of the bark exactly matches the dibatag's coat. The
best method of looking for dibatag is to climb one of the white-
ant hills which abound in the Haud and scour the country with
glasses, or ride through their haunts on a camel.
SUB-FAMILY HIPPOTRAGINÊ
GENUSORYX
0. beisa
SUB-FAMILY TRAGELAPHINjfc
GENUS TRA GELAPHUS
T. scriptus decula
GENUS STREPSICEROS
8. kudu
S. imberbis
THE ORYX
Oryx beisa, Riipp.
Somali name, Bfid or Bfid
DESCRIPTION. The oryx is the commonest of the larger

Somali antelopes, and has a wider distribution than any except
perhaps the gerenuk. It stands lower than the Greater Kudu
and somewhat higher than the Lesser Kudu its height at the
shoulder being about 4 ft. Both the males and females bear
horns those of the latter being more slender and as a rule
longer and frequently unsymmetrical. In both sexes they are
nearly straight with a slight backward curve, and are annulated
for about half their length and polished for the remainder. Horns
from 32 to 33 in. in length in either sex are distinctly good.
It is perhaps surprising that there are still so many herds of oryx
beisa in the Somali country, considering how keenly the Midgan
hunters prize the male oryx for the thick skin over the withers
"
(Somali name, gashan ") which is utilised in the manufacture
of the Somali shields. The presence in Somaliland of so many
of this species consider a good argument against those who are
I
inclined to blame the natives for the disappearance of the game.

The colour of the oryx varies from grey to a reddish-grey above
and white on the abdomen. A narrow black band runs along the
centre of the back, and on each side is another broader band which
unites with its fellow of the opposite side, on the chest after
;
uniting it broadens out on the throat, forming a diamond-shaped

black patch from which there is a more or less distinct black line
continued on to the side of the face as far as the base of the ears.
The black nose-stripe is continuous with the black frontal patch,
but separated from the black eye-stripe by a whitish interspace.
89
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements of the stretched skin

of an adult male shot in the Haud were :
Length from nose to root of tail . .

7 ft. 5 in.
Length of tail i 3
(with terminal hairs) . . 2 6
DISTRIBUTION. The oryx beisa is found in suitable localities

all over Somaliland on the parched-up stony flats intersected
:
with sand dunes to the east of Berbera on and around the table-
;
topped between Bulhar and Berbera on the hillsides at Salai

hills ;
and Issituggan in herds on the rolling plains to the west and

;
south-west of Hargeisa and in the Khansa bush country and

;
Nogal Valley. Oryx are not difficult to shoot, if a horse is

employed in hunting them they very soon tire and are easily
;
bagged. On the plains they are rather wild, but a shot at 150
yards can usually be got by stalking them, behind a camel. When
hunting oryx in the bush it is better to follow up a single spoor in
preference to the tracks of a herd, as the single spoor invariably
turns out to be that of an old bull.
HABITS. Oryx are always to be found in herds, although on

the plains it is a common sight to see odd members feeding alone.
Where grass is plentiful, as on the plains in Western Somaliland,
herds of thirty or more may be seen dotted about over the wide
expanse, but on the rocky hills near the coast the herds are much
smaller and usually only number seven to twelve individuals.
Oryx can go without water for long periods at a time, depending
entirely on the heavy dews for moisture, like the dik-dik and
maritime gazelle. When wounded or brought to bay the oryx is
very pugnacious. He lowers his head, pointing his horns at his
antagonist, and charges in the hope of transfixing him. When
wounded, however, and lying on the ground he will sweep round
in a semicircular fashion with his horns, and woe to the native
shikari who in his excitement rushes at a wounded oryx to
" "
halal him without due precautions.
BUSHBUCK
Tragelaphus scriptus decula, Riipp.
Somali name, Decula
DESCRIPTION. This antelope varies greatly in colour, but is

easily distinguished by its peculiar horns and its reddish-brown
skin covered with white spots.
MEASUREMENTS. I have been unable to get the measurements

of this bushbuck.
DISTRIBUTION. Found in the dense bush bordering the rivers

Webi, Webi Shebeleh, and Juba.
HABITS. Very shy in its habits, this antelope is seldom

seen except when it approaches the water's edge at daylight or
sunset to drink. Towards sunset it very often gives vent to
a peculiar harsh bark which resembles the bark of a baboon.
This bark is probably the male calling to its mate.
THE GREATER KUDU
Strepsiceros kudu
Somali name, Godir> Ghorialeh
DESCRIPTION. The correct Somali names for the Kudus seem

to give rise to a good deal of confusion, so I will explain them
"
here. "Godir is the name applied to the males of both the Greater
" "
and Lesser Kudus, and Aderyo for the females of both species.
The distinctive name for the male of the Greater Kudu is
" "
Ghorialeh (i.e. possessor of wood), whereas that for the male of
" "
the Lesser Kudu is " Dar 'ad (i.e. white side). " Arreh (i. e. possessor
of spots) is the general name for the Lesser Kudu of both sexes.
The Greater Kudu is the grandest of all antelopes, and the largest
of the Somali antelopes. It is a magnificent animal, and is seen
to perfection surrounded by the delightful scenery of its natural
habitat. Whether standing erect on the mountain side or quietly
grazing in the valleys, or dashing through the bushes with its
horns thrown well back and its head thrown forward, or trotting
leisurely along the tracks he has himself made on the rough hill-
side, he bears himself like a monarch. The Greater Kudu bull
stands from 4 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. at the shoulder. He possesses
long spiral horns which round the curve may reach a length of
5 ft. longest Somaliland specimen measured by me was
the
6iJ round
in. the curve. The stripes on the Greater Kudu vary
considerably in distinctness, although their number is fairly
constant. There are usually seven more or less distinct stripes
on each side, each of which corresponds to its fellow on the
opposite side, although on one side any one stripe may be less
distinct than its fellow of the opposite side. The second, third,
fourth, and seventh or last are more often permanent and distinct
on both sides than the others, which may be absent or only
faintly marked on one or the other side.
92
GREATER KUDU
THE GREATER KUDU 93
The is usually the longest, while the seventh is

fourth stripe
the shortest.Perhaps the two most distinctive features of the
Greater Kudu are its long beard and interocular white band..
Only the males possess horns.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male shot at Gidil near Sheikh :
Length from nose to root of

Length of tail
Height at shoulder
.
.
....
.
tail
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
98
i$J
61
in.
Girth round the body . . . . . ?
?
Weight . .- . . . . . .
Horns: R. L.
"
Length straight. . . . .
39^ in.39! in.
Length on front curve . . .

55J 54^
Tip to tip .-. . > . . .
27!
Circumference . . . . . 10
DISTRIBUTION. Greater Kudu are invariably found in rough

hilly or mountainous country, and as a rule fairly close to water.
They are plentiful all along the Golis Range and on Waggar
Mountain, the Negegr plateau, and some of the hills around Sog-
sodi. They are also to be found on the hills around Issituggan,
and from there onwards into the Gadabursi Hills.
HABITS. The male Greater Kudu is seldom seen alone except

in the breeding season, when the does leave the hills and descend
to the plains or valleys to drop their young. Occasionally a
very old bull is driven out from a herd and forced to roam the
hills alone. A
herd usually consists of one full-grown male and
three or four females and young. Sometimes a herd will be
found to consist of two or three young males and about the same
number of females.
The adult male will sometimes leave his herd and wander
by himself for days. When thus found alone he will occasion-
ally allow you to approach within thirty or forty yards and
will stand snorting and pawing the ground as though defying
you to go nearer, whilst at other times he will not allow you

to get within two or three hundred yards of him. He spends
the heat of the day in the shade on the hillsides and the
remainder of the twenty-four hours grazing either in the valleys

or grassy plateaux in the neighbourhood. Each herd keeps to
its own particular haunts, seldom straying very far.
During the last few years, owing to their being carefully

preserved, they appear to be slowly increasing in numbers.
Swayne mentions a case of an unwounded bull Greater Kudu
making, at some thirty yards' distance, a determined charge at
a man whom he had sent to guard the mouth of a gorge. Whether
this charge was really directed at the man or not it is difficult
to say, but I fancy the mouth of the gorge must really have
been the way he intended to escape. The ears of the Greater
Kudu are large and he requires very careful stalking, as long
before he sees you he hears you and makes off.
I once saw a herd of seven which had not seen me but
apparently had heard my approach, as they exhibited great
uneasiness and could not make up their minds which way to
escape ;
so I sat down and watched them, when, after walking
round and round each other for a few seconds, they made
off in the opposite direction. The Greater Kudu, living as he
does almost entirely among the hills and seldom, if ever, leaving
them, never trespasses on the preserves of the Lesser Kudu,
which never takes to the hills but is invariably found in thick
bush country where there is plenty of shade for it to lie up in
during the heat of the day.
THE LESSER KUDU
Strepsiceros imberbis, Bly.
Somali name, Godir, Arreh (male)
or Dar 'ad ,,
Aderyo (female)
DESCRIPTION. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all

Somali antelopes. The general colour is a grey-brown, which
fades into a pale fawn on the legs. Immediately above the hoofs
on both the fore and hind legs is a whitish patch. The throat and
chest are black except for two patches of white on the former one,
the smaller, high up, the other a broad transverse bar of white
situated just above where the neck joins the chest. The head is of
the general body colour except from a line drawn between the
eyes to the nose, where it is black. The upper and lower lips
are white. There are two white spots one above the other on
each side, situated over the lower jaw, while two white streaks
pass directly downwards and inwards from the inner canthus of
each eye towards the middle line of the face. The ears are large
and well adapted for hearing in thick bush country. The fur on
the head and neck is very soft and fine, giving those parts a soft,
silky appearance. The tail is grey-brown above, white underneath,
with a brown-black tip. There is a longitudinal white stripe
running from the withers nearly to the root of the tail, and from
this spring numerous transverse white stripes which give this
antelope a singularly beautiful appearance. The stripes, as in the
Greater Kudu, are seldom equal in number on both sides. On an
adult male shot by me there were fourteen on the left side and
thirteen on the right. The last stripe is usually very indistinct on
both sides, while the second and third terminal stripes usually join
soon after they arise, and are continued as one stripe. Between
some of the stripes there are, as a rule, one or two spots or streaks.
According to Swayne, the specimens from the Webi Shebeleh
River are smaller and more brilliantly marked, and possess shorter
horns and elongated hoofs.
95
96 THE MAMMALS OF SOMAL1LAND
MEASUREMENTS. The following are the measurements of an

adult male shot at the foot of the Golis Range in British
Somaliland :
Head and body . . ; . :

.-
66J in.
Tail . . . . . . .-. . . II
(with terminal hairs) . ,.,.;. ; .

14 J
Height at shoulder . . ~. , . .
43
Round the body . . * . * .
42 J
Horns :
Length on front curve . , . . .
27 J
straight . , 22
Tip to tip . .
;.
..| v ioj
Circumference at base . ; ; .
. . . 6 T\
This is a fair average head. Rowland Ward records a
pair of horns, the property of Mr. Norman B. Smith, 35 J in. in
length.
DISTRIBUTION. The Lesser Kudu is found in suitable localities
throughout Somaliland and as far south as the Tana River, south of
which it does not appear to be found. It lives in the thick bush
country, being very partial to those localities where the Sansivieria
abounds.
HABITS. The Lesser Kudu is either seen singly or in small
herds of three to five individuals. Those seen singly are invariably
males ; sometimes two young males will be seen together. They
are not difficult to approach owing to their relying so much on
their coloration for protection. In the dry bush country it is not
always easy to differentiate between them and the dried-up bush,
so still and erect do they stand. A male Lesser Kudu will some-
times allow one to walk up to within ten yards or so before he jumps
up and, with one or two graceful leaps and bounds, clearing any
obstacle six feet ormore in height, gallops or trots away. In the
thick aloe bush they rely a great deal on jumping, and I have seen
a frightened buck clear a bush well over six feet in height. When
disturbed, they make a peculiar barking noise. I have heard the
females make this noise on several occasions, but I cannot say

whether the males also make it. They are sometimes found near
water, while othersinhabit quite waterless districts, such as the
bush country bordering the Haud.
DIVISION SUINA
FAMILY HIPPOPOTAMIDÊ
GENUS HIPPOP O TAMUS
H. amphibius
FAMILY SUID.E
GENUS PHA COCHCERUS
P. aethiopicua
97
HIPPOPOTAMUS
Hippopotamus amphibius, Linn.
Somali name,
DESCRIPTION. This great pachyderm requires no description.
MEASUREMENTS. The river specimens are almost invariably

smaller than those in the larger lakes, and are possibly a distinct
species.
DISTRIBUTION. Found in numbers in certain deep pools

along the Webi, Webi Shebeleh, and Juba rivers.
HABITS. Sleeps in the river during the day and feeds all
night on the banks, travelling often many miles to some favourite
grazing ground, but always returning before the dawn. In early
morning when enjoying a bath he keeps rising frequently to the
surface of the water, giving vent to a great booming noise which
may be heard some distance from his haunts.
99
THE WARTHOG
PhaoochceruB sethiopicus, Cuvier.
Somali name, Dofar
DESCRIPTION. The warthog is the most hideous and repulsive-

looking of the Somaliland mammals. The most distinctive
all
features about him are the presence of three warts or protuberances

on each side of the face, a long mane or crest along the back,
and a pair of formidable-looking tusks. The female has only
two pairs of warts.
MEASUREMENTS :

4 ft. 10 in.
Tail . . i 6
Height at shoulder . . . . . 2 7
DISTRIBUTION. The warthog is common in well-wooded

country not far from water. All along the Golis foothills and in
the country immediately north of the range, especially along
the watercourses and in and around the valleys near Wagar Mt,
they are very common.
HABITS. Although frequently found singly or in couples, the
warthog is usually seen in company of a female and about half
a dozen half-grown individuals. They live entirely on roots of
grasses and bulbs. They sleep during the heat of the day under
bushes, repairing to water about sundown and feeding at night.
They are easy to bag, and even when wounded never attempt
to attack their assailant. When disturbed during the day they
trot off in single file with tails erect, and if left alone for a few
minutes soon settle down in the shade again.
100
S UB-ORDERPERISSODA CTYLA
FAMILY EQUIDÊ
GENUS EQUUS
E. asinus somalicus
E. grevyii
FAMILYRHINOCEROTIDÊ
GENUS RHINOCEROS
R. bicornis
101
THE SOMALI WILD ASS
Equus asinus somalicus, Solat.
Somali name, Gumburi or Dameir dibbaded
DESCRIPTION. The Somali wild ass is a magnificent beast,

being very much than
larger the Somali domestic donkey.
Light grey in colour, with white muzzle and a white ring round
the eye ;
he is always fat and in the pink of condition. The
distinctive features about him are a short thick mane with black
grey-tipped hairs, boldly striped fore and hind legs, a brown or

black shoulder stripe (which is not constant), and a black brush
at the end of his tail.
MEASUREMENTS. Owing to their being strictly preserved I

was unable to get their measurements. They stand about as
high as a good-sized Somali pony at the withers 12-13 hands.
The measurements of a stretched skin in the British Museum are :
Head and body 7 ft. 9 in.
Tail . . .
-
. . . . -.-... i ,,6
with terminal hairs .
DISTRIBUTION. As the Somali name implies, the wild ass

is always found on low-lying rocky hills (Gumburi). They are
common to the eastward of Berbera, behind Siyaro, in among
the sand dunes and rocky hills, and also south of Bulhar in
similar localities, especially around the Issituggan Valley. South
of the Golis Range they inhabit the low stony hills around Halo,
Haloka Yer, and near Segig they are also found on Negegr
;
Plateau.
HABITS. Wild asses are usually seen in herds of four or five

individuals and not uncommonly singly, away from all other
game. They are sometimes seen near, or in company with, oryx,
103
inhabiting the same kind of country in Guban and Ogo-Guban,

and subsisting on dry grass. They keep within distance of water,
probably not going more than three or four days without it except
in thedry season.
Theyare very inquisitive. One evening, having halted my
caravan in a deserted zareba and turned the mules out to graze,
a wild ass chased one of the mules to within thirty yards of where
I was lying on my bed. As is frequently the case, this one was
wandering about alone. They are difficult to approach after once
being scared, and the sportsman would be lucky to get within four
hundred yards of them. Like oryx they can travel very fast over
stony ground their hoofs being very hard. Somalis will not
"
touch their flesh. The alternative name " Dameir dibbaded by
which they are known among Somalis means the outcast donkey.
GREVY'S ZEBRA
Equus grevyii, Oust.
Somali name, Faro
DESCRIPTION. This is a small and dark zebra. The black

stripes being broad and very close together give it the appear-
ance in the distance of a black pony. Some years ago this
species was plentiful enough on the plains in Western Somaliland,
but to-day they are to be found in much diminished numbers.
Has very large ears, not unlike a Greater Kudu's in shape.
MEASUREMENTS. Grevy's zebra stands about 13 or 14 hands
at the shoulder. The measurements of a rather small skin in the
British Museum are
...
:
Head and body . . . 6 ft. 7 in.
Tail . ; . . . , . . . I 3
with terminal hairs * . ,
. i 9
DISTRIBUTION. In Western Somaliland. Commoner in the

Ogaden country than elsewhere.
HABITS. Grevy's zebra seems to prefer undulating rocky
bush country to any other. It is invariably seen in small
troops of ten or twelve individuals. The older males are generally

covered with scars, showing them to be very pugnacious. While
hunting through the dense bush in localities where they are known
to be, they are soon found, as they are very noisy. They are
very easy to shoot, but it is hoped that sportsmen will not
" "
indulge in this form of sport unless driven to it owing to the
meat supply of their caravan running short.
RHINOCEROS
Rhinoceros bicornis, Gmelin.
Somali name, Wiyil
DESCRIPTION. This animal requires no description. It has
been said that it is smaller than the East African variety, but this
is possibly due to the poorness of its food supply during certain
seasons of the year in Somaliland. The horns certainly seldom

grow to any great length 20 in. for a front horn being well above
the average.
MEASUREMENTS. The following are the measurements of a

male rhinoceros shot in the Ogaden country :
Length (straight) . \ ( . ,;, . . 10 ft. 8 in.

"
Height at shoulder . . . -* . 4 6
Horns :
Front horn (length) . . . .
.19^ in.
(circumference) . .. . .
2i|
Second horn (length) . . . . .-.
9
(circumference) * . .
/ 21
DISTRIBUTION. The rhinoceros is never seen north of Burao,
owing to its Towards the Abyssinian border, in
extermination.
the Haud and Nogal Valley, they are still to be found, and are said
to be plentiful in Ogadayn.
HABITS. He inhabits broken country, whether stony or other-

wise, and lives on the small stunted acacias, creepers, and small
plants which abound in his natural habitat. Very short-sighted
but endowed with a remarkable sense of smell, he can easily be
approached with due precaution. After defecating, they generally
scatter their excrement in all directions, probably with a view of
obliterating their spoor. Unfortunately this strange beast is being

driven before civilisation, and a few more years will see its dis-
appearance from all save the most remote regions. The Somalis
value the hide for their shields, and whip-handles are made of it.
106
SUB-ORDER HYRACOIDEA
FAMILY PROCAVIIDÊ
GENUS- PROCA VIA
P. brace! lomalica
SUB-ORDER PROBOSCIDEA
FAMILY ELEPHANTID.E
GENUS- ELEPHA S
E. africanus Orleans!
IQ7
BRUCE'S DASSIE
Procavia brucei soraalica, Thos.
Somali name, Baune
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the Somaliland dassie

is a grizzled brownish grey, varying according to the age of the
animals. The older specimens are lighter in colour. The hairs
are brown at the base with a subterminal band of yellowish white
and a terminal band of black, and are very delicate and soft.
Underneath, and on the inner sides of the legs, the hairs are brown
at their bases, and the terminal half white. All over the body, but
more especially towards the hinder parts, there are long hairs, black
in colour and varying in length from one to two inches, dotted
about. The hairs on the inside of the ears are pure white, while
those around the dorsal spot vary with the age of the animal. In
the younger animals the bases of these hairs are the same colour as
the bases of the hairs of the body, the terminal half being whitish,
but later they become entirely yellowish white in the whole of their
extent. The soles of the feet are quite black.
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements in the flesh of the

largest specimen obtained by me a female were as follows :
Head and body . .. . . . .

450 mm.
Hindfoot
Ear. ./
.
,. ...
. . . .
.
.
.
.
.
55
30
DISTRIBUTION. This dassie is found throughout Northern
Somaliland, wherever large rocks abound. I have not found it
closer than thirty or forty miles from the coast except at Bihendula,
where there are a few.
HABITS. They live entirely among the large rocks and

boulders bordering the dry river-beds and low rocky cliffs among
109
HO fHE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAtiiJ
the foothills of the Golis Range. Their haunts are easily found
owing to the masses of excrement which are piled in selected spots
among the rocks. In Northern Somaliland they live side by side
in perfect harmony with Speke's pectinator, which is known to the
Somalis by the same name. When disturbed they keep up a
"
continual chirr-r-r." They travel over the rocks and cliffs with
marvellous agility and are very inquisitive. The males are con-
stantly fighting with each other, especially when there are a number
of separate families living on the same cliff. They are entirely
herbivorous, and can travel along the slender branches of the trees
and run along the bare face of a rock with equal facility. They
sleep during darkness and the heat of the day, doing their feeding
during the three or four hours after sunrise and two or three before
sunset.
THE ELEPHANT
Elephas afrioanus orleansi, Lyd.
Somali name, marodi ; Galla name, Arba
DESCRIPTION. The Somali elephant has been given subspecific

distinction * owing to the difference of its ears, which are said to be
smaller than those of any of the other local varieties. It carries
very small tusks seldom exceeding 30 Ib. in weight, and is not
worth the shooting. Fortunately it has now been strictly preserved,

and is
hoped
it the small herds that yearly pass from Northern
Somaliland to Abyssinia and back again will tend to increase in
numbers.
MEASUREMENTS. The largest specimen mentioned in Rowland

"
Ward's " Records taped 9 ft. 7j in. at the shoulder. The
same book gives 60 Ib. as the heaviest tusk from the Somali
country.
DISTRIBUTION. Formerly elephants used to come right down

to the sea at Berbera, ranging over Guban, the Golis Range and
Waggar Mountain, and thence northwards into the Gadabursi
Hills and westwards through Hargeisa to the Abyssinian high-
lands. To-day they still wander round in the vicinity of Hargeisa,
Jifa Medir and the Gadabursi Hills, where owing to the strict
Game Laws they are unmolested. Farther south they are found
in Western Ogaden.
HABITS. Their habits in the Somali country are similar

to elsewhere. They travel about in herds, leaving destruction in
their wake. They are particularly fond of the succulent Armo
creeper, a species of Vitis, which they rip from the trees, breaking
the latter down. In the dry season they subsist largely on the
Sansivieria, which is plentiful in most parts of the country. They
express the juice and pulp between their massive molars, ejecting
the fibre.
* E.
africanus orleansi.
in
ORDER RODENTIA
SUB-ORDER SIMPLICIDENTA TA
DIVISION SCIUROMORPHA
FAMILY SCIURIDÊ
GENUS XERUS
X. rutilua dabagalla
THE GROUND SQUIRREL
Xerus rutilus dabagalla, Heugl.
Somali name, Dabagalleh
DESCRIPTION. The
general colour varies somewhat, according
to the locality in it is found, from a dull rufous brown to
which
a bright rufous or tawny. In the maritime region they are very
much duller and paler than in the interior, so much so that
Mr. Thomas has given the one found in the Ogaden country
subspecific rank. In the latter specimen the feet are rufous instead
of whitish as in the present species. The tail is characteristic it
is appearance with long hairs projecting from each side
flat in
of arranged rather like a feather it is rufous above and whitish

it, ;
below, while the hairs are annulated black or brown and white.
The eyes are large and the ear merely consists of a narrow slit
externally. Above and below the eye is a white patch, and also
at the base of the ear.
MEASUREMENTS of adult specimens from the maritime plain

and Odweina, about 100 miles south of Berbera :
$
Locality. . . . . Odweina Maritime plain
Head and body 237 mm. 230 mm.
Tail
|f
Hindfoot
.
.
...
.
...
./ .
159
50
165
54
DISTRIBUTION. Everywhere except on stony ground. It is
verycommon in most parts of the country where the soil is soft

and it is able to burrow.
HABITS. The burrows are usually made at the bases of the

low-lying stunted acacias or in long-standing zarebas. The
dabagalleh seldom strays far from its burrow, and in certain places
"5
Il6 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
where there are old habitations, such as " coffee shops," * they
are met with in large numbers and are exceedingly tame,
coming within a few feet of one. When startled they run
for the nearest cover they travel
;
fast with their tail down and
extended, but as soon as they come to a stop the tail is raised up
over the back and they sit up on their haunches just outside their
holes tomake certain if there is any real danger before disappear-
" "
ing. They live entirely on roots, together with rice and jowari
when it is to be found near at hand. They breed during March
and April. The Somali name " Dabagalleh " means " the possessor
of a tail like a sheath or scabbard."
* Which are found at frequent intervals along all the main caravan routes
as they converge towards Berbera.
DIVISION MYOMORPHA
FAMILY MURIDÊ
SUBFAMILY-GERBILLIN^:
GENUS- GERBILL US
G. sp?
G. dunni
GENUS-DIPODILL US
D. sp?
D. gp?
D. peeli
GENUS-AMMODILL US
A. imbellis
117
COAST GERBILLE
Gerbillus
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. Only one specimen of this gerbille has so far

been obtained, so it is
impossible, specimens are
until other
procured, to decide whether or not it is entitled to subspecific
rank. It is very pale in colour and similar to those found at
Suakim and the Red Sea littoral. General colour pale fawn above
white below underfur above very pale French grey or slate.
;
Fore and hind feet white. Tail long, dark above, white below ;
hairs towards extremity long and slender.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of the only specimen so far

obtained are :
Head and body .. . . . .118 mm.

Tail . . . . . . . .
144
Hindfoot .... . . . . . 28
Ear . 15
DISTRIBUTION. Caught along the seashore at Berbera.
HABITS. Lives in holes near the Somali huts near the town
of Berbera. It is not easy to trap, although it is sometimes seen.
The above specimen was hit with a stick while playing round a
lamp placed on the ground.
119
DUNN'S GERBILLE
Somali name, Walo
Gerbillus dunni, Thos.
DESCRIPTION. This gerbille was described by Thomas from a

specimen obtained by Major Dunn at Gerlogubi Wells, south of the
Haud, in the Ogaden country. It is very dark fawn above, white
below, not sharply defined on sides. The hands and feet are white.
Tail fawn at its proximal half, dark brown towards tip, where the
hairs are long and delicate.
MEASUREMENTS of the only specimen so far obtained :
Head and body 90 mm.

Tail
Hindfoot
.
.
.
.
.
.
...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
120
28
Ear . . . . . , .
13
DISTRIBUTION. The only specimen known is the above from

Gerlogubi Wells.
H ABITS. Unknown.
1 20
DIPODILLUS
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. This, another dipodillus obtained by me at

Upper Sheikh, most nearly approaches D. mackilligini^ but until
other specimens are obtained it is difficult to decide. General
colour drab, underfur slate, pinkish buff on sides. Underparts
white ;
hands and feet white. Tail dark above, white below ; black
terminal brush.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh were :
Head and body '*-.' . .

'
;
, . .'
84mm.
Tail . !08
Hindfoot . ... . . .
'
.. 24 ,
Ear . .12
DISTRIBUTION. Caught at Upper Sheikh.
HABITS. Both the above specimens were caught by me inside
my mess tent.
121
DIPODILLUS
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. This dipodillus was caught by me at Burao,

and although it appears to be very similar to D. Watersi, more
specimens must be received before a final decision is made.
The general colour is wood-brown, underfur slate,
sharply defined
laterally. White underneath, hands and feet white. The general
colour above is not continued on to the arms. Tail dark above,
white below. Supraorbital and postauricular white patches clearly
marked.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male were :
Head and body .

, .. . . .
-72 mm.
Tail . . .
95
Hindfoot .18,,
Ear .
.
.
.
.
.
...
,
. ...
. . .
. ii
DISTRIBUTION. Only two specimens of this gerbille have

so far been obtained. Both were caught by me at Burao.
HABITS. Little is known of their habits, which seem to be

similar to those of other gerbilles.
122
PEEL'S DIPODILLE
Dipodillus peeli, de Wint.
Somali name, IValo
DESCRIPTION. This dipodillus was described by de Winton

from a skull only. Two specimens from Upper Sheikh collected
by me appear to agree as regards their skulls, but they cannot
be described until other specimens of dipodilli are obtained from
Aik, where Peel obtained his skull. I can hardly
imagine two
places so far removed from each other as Upper Sheikh and
Aik, with quite distinct soils, would furnish the same species.
The description of my specimens is as follows medium-sized :
;
fur wood-brown underfur slate, white below

;
hands and feet;
white. Supraorbital and postauricular white patches well marked.

Tail short, darker above than below, without terminal tuft.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male :
Head and body .

< . ...^^ . .80 mm.
Tail ;
'
... . . . . . . .62
Hindfoot -.-'. 18
Ear . 12
DISTRIBUTION. The above two specimens of mine were

obtained at Upper Sheikh.
HABITS. Similar to other gerbilles.

THE UNWARLIKE AMMODILLE
Ammodillus imbellis, de Win t
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. This little gerbille was first described by de

Winton from a specimen collected by C. V. A. Peel at Gooder.
The fur on back reddish fawn, underfur dark slate, sharply
is
defined Fore and hind feet, chin, cheeks and belly

on sides.
white ;
white supraorbital and postauricular spots well marked.
Tail long and furnished at terminal third with long slender
dark hairs.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh were :
Head and body . V . . . . 106 mm.

Tail. . . . . ... , . .
144
Hindfoot . . f .
.. . . . .
27
Ear . . 25
DISTRIBUTION. Found in the Haud and Nogal Valley.
HABITS. Nothing is known of the habits of this ammodille.
124
SUBFAMILY MURING
GENUS MUS
M. brockraani
GENUS ACOMYS
A. mullah
GENUS AR VICANTHIS
A. lomalicuB
125
LONG-TAILED MOUSE
Mus brockmani, Thos.
Somali name, fir
DESCRIPTION. General colour fawn brown with a fair
sprinkling of black hairs, chiefly along back, with dark slaty-

coloured bases to the hairs. Underneath, the hairs are pure
white throughout. Nose same as general body colour, but upper
and lower lips white. Ears nearly naked. Fore and hind feet
pure white. Tail about one-third longer than the head and
body tricoloured with longish dark hairs at end. Rings well
marked, about 50 to the inch.
MEASUREMENTS of a large male killed at Upper Sheikh :
Head and body . . . . . . .

123 mm.
Tail . . . . . . . . . 184
Hindfoot . . . . . , . . 23
Ear . . .18
DISTRIBUTION. -I have only caught this rat at Upper Sheikh,
but it is probably common all along the Golis Range.
HABITS. This rat is invariably found among the rocks and

stones in the nullahs at Sheikh, or on the plain not far distant
from the stony hillside. It is nocturnal and carnivorous and
comparatively common : the spinous and long-tailed mice being
equally common among the rocks and in the ravines on the
Golis Range.
127
THE SPINOUS MOUSE
Acomys mullah
Somali name, fir
DESCRIPTION. General colour buff above and white below.

The hairs above are grey at their bases and tipped with buff. On
the posterior half or third of the back only, the hairs are spinous.
The reddish buff of the sides reaches as far as the wrists and
ankles. The ears are covered with very minute hairs and are
is a white patch both behind
bases
grey in colour : at their
and in front; these, together with a small white patch under each
eye, are more commonly seen in the older specimens. The hands
and feet are like the belly, chest and underpart of neck, pure
white. The
tail, which is sparsely covered with minute hairs, is
darker above than below. The muzzle, which is covered with
very small white hairs, is markedly pointed. The skin of these
rats is very delicate, rendering them extremely difficult to skin.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male and female specimen

caught at Upper Sheikh:
c? ?
Head and body * , * . 121 mm. 95 mm.
Tail. ,. ,, .:,:. ; v . .
105 87
Hindfoot . . . < . . 18 17
'
Ear . , . ; 18 16
DISTRIBUTION. Common in suitable localities in Northern

Somaliland.
HABITS. This mouse seems

to prefer stony ravines to
flatcountry. It lives in
among the piles of stones marking
the sites of old Galla graves, and on the rocky hillsides. It
is common on the Golis Range. It is carnivorous and feeds
both during the day and night. They are frequently found
living together with other small rodents in the old white-anthills
with their labyrinth of underground passages.
128
THE SOMALI FIBROUS RAT
ArYicanthis soraalicus, Thos.
Somali name, /?>
DESCRIPTION. The general colour above is light brown with

a considerable sprinkling of black hairs, giving the fur a dark
streaky appearance. The underfur above is shiny black, and on
the belly slate colour. The terminal portions of the hair on the
belly are white, giving a silver-grey appearance in that part. The
ears are small, round and sparsely covered with hair. The tail is
covered with dark hairs above and white below. Hands and feet
are thinly covered with short light brown hairs. Throughout the
coat long black hairs with pale brown terminal portions are
distributed, giving the whole a shaggy appearance.
MEASUREMENTS of a male and female specimen, taken in the

flesh, were :
o* *
Head and body 120 mm. no mm.
Tail
Hindfoot
... . . .
. 94 84
21
. . . . . 25
Ear . . 15 14
DISTRIBUTION. Common throughout Somaliland in suitable

localities.
HABITS. Fibrous rats are invariably found near old-standing

camps. Throughout the day they can be seen running in and out
of the thorn zarebas, under which they have their runs and nests
in the thick undergrowth. They are very common, and will
devour anything. I have never caught them at night, so presume
they only feed during the daytime. At daybreak I have caught
"
as many as three at one time in the small " break-back trap.
129
SUB-FAMILY-LOPHIOMYIN^:
GENUS LOPHIOMYS
L. smithii
GREAT AFRICAN CRESTED RAT
Lophiomys smithii, Rhoads
Somali name, Yaidado
DESCRIPTION. The general appearance of this animal is not

very much like a rat ;
the head is rather like that of a guinea-pig,
while the body is not unlike a small porcupine's, when viewed
from a distance, hence the Somali name. Some Somalis, however,
*'
call it Hor," regarding it as the young of the grey-backed ratel.
The general colour appears to be silver grey until the crest is
erected, when distinct longitudinal bands of black are seen. The
crest is banded black and grey for the whole of its length
silver ;
at the base of the hairs of the crest on each side in the male is a
distinct longitudinal bare patch* stretching from the neck to
about the end of the ribs, and immediately below this is a long
band of about the same length, of very coarse dull brown hair
this coarse band of hair is very plain even in the young. The
crest extends the whole length of the body and along the greater
part of the tail the tip of the latter being white. In the young
animal the tail is black with a white tip. The underparts vary
from grey to almost black. The four feet are jet black. The
forehead, with the exception of a narrow band of black down the
middle line, is pure white this narrow black band is continuous
with the nose-band. The remainder of the face is quite black, as
also are the chest and throat. The palms of the hands and the
soles of the feet are white and hairless.
MEASUREMENTS. The measurements of an adult male

specimen, which was alive, were as follows :
Head and body

Tail ... i r in.
8
f
This bare patch was absent in my specimens caught at Burao, both in the
female and the young male.
133
DISTRIBUTION. Found probably throughout the Somali

country, but undoubtedly a very rare animal. I have seen it at
Sheikh and near Burao, but never lower than 4,000 ft. One
specimen was killed by Somalis at Upper Sheikh and one caught
alive, while an adult female and young male were caught near
Burao and were kept by me in captivity for some months, only to
escape by eating their way out of a substantial deal box on board
the steamer on their way to the Zoological Gardens. To keep
them in captivity it is necessary to have a zinc-lined case as a cage.
The first specimen was obtained by Dr. Donaldson Smith in
Western Somaliland.
HABITS. This fine rat is nocturnal in its habits, leaving its

burrow or hole among the rocks about sundown in search of food,
which is almost entirely vegetable. In captivity it will eat meat,
bread and maize, but prefers lettuce, beetroot and other vegetables.
It requires little or no water. Its mode of progression is very
similar to that of a hedgehog, and it makes a noise, when irritated,
not unlike that animal. The noise is peculiar, one or two hisses
or snorts followed by a kind of growl. It is easy to tame. Owing
to the slowness with which it moves along it is easy to capture.
It usually proceeds with its crest erect, presumably to frighten
jackals and other enemies. It can do little harm save with its
teeth, its claws being of little use except for scraping in the soil for
roots and bulbs. When
eating it seizes its food between its two
forefeet while it on its haunches, nibbling it after the manner
sits
of squirrels. custom of proceeding with crest erect is in all

Its
probability a protective measure to frighten its enemies, which

might mistake it very easily for a young porcupine.
FAMILY BATHYERGID^:
GENUS HETEROCEPHALUS
H. glaber
135
THE NAKED RAT
Heterocephalus glaber, Riipp.
Somali name, Faranfat
DESCRIPTION. This quaint little creature is only sparsely

covered with hair over the body and tail. In point of fact, the
few hairs on it are hardly worthy of notice. The eyes are about
the size of pins' heads, and the external ear consists of a fold of
cartilage of oval shape surrounding the external meatus. The
head is comparison with the rest of the body. The skin
large in
covering the body is very loose, and can easily be peeled off.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a female were :
Head and body ; . ; . .92 mm.

Tail 41
Ear . . . . 2
Hindfoot . . '. . . . . . 21
DISTRIBUTION. The naked rat, curiously enough, is found in

the coldest parts of Somaliland. It is common on the Golis
Range, and from there right away to Hargeisa and south into
the Haud. I have
caught it as far south as Banissa, Gurre country,
British East Africa.
HABITS. This peculiar rat lives in burrows under the ground.

These burrows extend for great distances and have exits at
intervals, through which the mud dug out during the burrowing
is shot out in jets. These small tumuli look like miniature
volcanoes when the earth is being shot out of them. The best
way to get specimens is to creep up softly to one of these " active
volcanoes," when one can often see the hindlegs hard at work
shooting out the mud. A
good stout stick with a nail at the
end or a small Somali spear can then be thrust in rapidly and the
rat transfixed.
J37
FAMILY JACULIDÊ
GENUS-JA C UL US
Jacolua?
139
JERBOA
Jaculus
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. This jerboa is smaller than /. gordoni and

somewhat paler in colour. The most marked characteristic about
the fur the presence of a well-marked postauricular white patch.
is
Not till other specimens are obtained, however, will it be possible

to differentiate between this specimen from Berbera and the
Soudan one, /. gordoni.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male caught near the town of

Berbera :
Head and body .no mm.

Tail . .... ....19
. . . . *
170
Hindfoot.
Ear. ..... . . . . . .
. 23
DISTRIBUTION. The jerboa described above comes from the
coast,but two other specimens which may prove to be similar
were obtained by me at Upper Sheikh and Ber.
HABITS. The jerboas make delightful pets, and are not

difficult to rear in captivity. They are nocturnal in their habits
and chiefly graminivorous.
141
DIVISION-HYSTRICOMORPHA
FAMILY HYSTRICID.E
GENUS HYSTRIX
H. cristata
'43
PORCUPINE
(Adult ^)
SOLE: FORE FOOT, LEFT SIDE (EXACT SIZE)
SOLE : HIND FOOT, LEFT SIDE (EXACT SIZE)

* 45
P , ?
THE PORCUPINE
Hystrix cristata, Linn.
Somali name, Ano gub
DESCRIPTION. The Somali porcupine belongs to the North

African species. The general colour is black, only the true quills
being banded black and white. The head and legs are covered
with coarse bristles. The tail is peculiar. The quills with which
it is furnished are hollow and have the appearance of having
been cut off short ;
these hollow quills are usually white. As
the accompanying diagrams show, the front foot is only furnished
with four toes, while the hind has five. The breasts, in the female,
of which there are two pairs, are situated laterally.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male, taken in the flesh, were as

follows :
Length of head, body and tail . 880 mm. or 34 in.
Round body . . . . .
500 ipf
Length of sole of forefoot . ...
57 2j
hindfoot . . 90 3^
Weight . . . . . 25 Ib.
\.
The weight of a female killed the same day was 32 Ib.
DISTRIBUTION. The porcupine is found all over Somaliland,
but being nocturnal in its habits is seldom seen.
HABITS. Porcupines are nocturnal animals, and spend the

day ground. They are usually seen singly or in
in holes in the
pairs, or a pair accompanied by a small family of two or three

young ones. Almost entirely vegetarian as regards their diet, they
are a great nuisance to gardeners doing in one night a great deal
of damage. When startled or annoyed they make a peculiar
145 10
whirring noise, which is made by rapidly vibrating the hollow

quills at the end of the On
one occasion I found two adult
tail.
and two young porcupines enjoying a siesta under a shady bush

close to a large hole. On disturbing them they made for the
hole, when I wounded the female, who was the last to enter.
As they were near the surface I endeavoured to drag out the
female, who was the nearest, but before I succeeded in getting
her out, the male had eaten away nearly the whole of one of
her buttocks. I eventually succeeded in securing all four of
them.
FAMILY CTENODACTYLIDÊ
GENUS PECTINA TOR
P. spekei
SPEKE'S PECTINATOR
Pectinator spekei, Blyth
Somali name, Baune
DESCRIPTION. Fawn or fawn-grey above with fur tipped with

black. Fur on belly, chest and chin white or creamy underfur ;
slate, darker above than below. Tail bushy hairs, basal half
;
pale fawn, terminal half dark brown, with other hairs white at
their terminal half. Apparently specimens obtained near the
coast and those at an altitude of 6,000 ft. on Wagar Mountain
differ but slightly in colour and thickness of fur.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male killed on

Wagar Mountain were as follows :
Head and body 170 mm.

Tail . 49
Hindfoot 33
Ear 21
DISTRIBUTION. Found throughout the coast districts and as

far as 100 miles inland, irrespective of altitude.
HABITS. This little mammal is generally found in company

with the dassies, living on the best of terms with its tailless
friend,and adopting very similar habits. It feeds at daybreak
and an hour or so before sundown. It is invariably found in
rocky country, especially on the rocky cliffs bordering some of
the river-beds in Somaliland, where the numerous crevices and
holes in the rocks afford ample shelter.
149
SUB-ORDER DUPLICIDENTA TA
FAMILY LEPORIDÊ
GENUS LEPUS
L. BomalenBis
THE SOMALI HARE
Lepus somalensis, Heugl.
Somali name, Bakdileh
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the Somali hare (as

far as is known only one species exists) is grey and black
above, hair very soft and silky, silver grey at base, then yellowish
with black tips. On the sides it is lighter grey fading into
fawn, with underparts pure white and quite woolly. Legs, accord-
ing to the locality in which the animal is found, vary from an
earthy brown to a reddish colour the latter being the case in;
the specimens shot in the Haud, where the soil is red. The tail
is black above, white below. Occipital portion of head and
upper part of neck cinnamon or pale rufous.
MEASUREMENTS taken in the flesh of two adult specimens,

male and female, were as follows :
$ ?
Head and body '
Tail . .
at shoulder
...
. . . v.
;
.
n
20^
3|
in. 19}
3J
10
in.
,,
Height . .
'
. . .
Ear
Weight
,
.
.
.
,
.... . , -, ,
. .
_.^
4J
5 Ib.
4f
not taken
DENTITION./. ,
c.
%,pm. f, m. f.
DISTRIBUTION. Throughout Somaliland from the maritime

region to the waterless Haud.
HABITS. Always foundsingly. It spends the heat of the
day underneath a bush, and never goes down holes.

in its lair
When surprised it runs a short way and then sits listening, and
if disturbed a second time will run a
great distance, covering the
ground at a great pace by leaping along. They are very easily
killed, the smallest shot being sufficient to bag them. They
are entirely graminivorous and nocturnal in their habits.
ORDER CHIROPTERA
SUB-ORDER MICROCHIROPTERA
FAMILY NYCTERIDÊ
GENUS PETALIA
P. thebaica
FAMILY VESPERTILIONID^:
GENUS VESPERTILIO
V. minutus somalicui
GENUS SCOTOPHIL US
8. schlieffeni
8. nigrita leucogaster
FAMILY EMBALLONURID.E
GENUS N YCTINOMUS
N. pussilus
GENUS CARDIODERMA
C. cor
SLIT-FACED BAT
Petalia thebaica, Geoff.
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. General colour above, smoky-grey, lighter

below. Ears large and bluntly pointed, practically hairless, with
a fringe of pale hairs along inner margin, becoming shorter in
length or disappearing as the tip is reached.
MEASUREMENTS of female specimen caught at Upper Sheikh :
Head and body . . . . , -77 mm.

Tail .
Hindfoot
Ear .
.
.
Y
.
...
. . . .
.
.
.
.
.
57
90
36
DISTRIBUTION. Found all over the interior plateau and on
Guban.
certain parts of
HABITS. They spend the day in caves, old disused wells as

found at Ber, and in holes in trees, emerging at dusk. They are
gregarious in their habits, sometimes hundreds being congregated
together in the same well.
Yespertilio minutus somalious, Thos.
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. This is a very small bat the general colour ;
above being wood-brown, while the underparts are whitish. The

underfur all over is black. V. minutus was obtained in Southern
Somaliland by Capt. Bottego.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a specimen from Hargeisa are :

44mm.
Tail . , . . , . . . , 35
Hindfoot . . . ; . . . * 5
Ear . . . 4
.
. . 9
DISTRIBUTION. Northern Somaliland, Hargeisa.
HABITS. Little or nothing is known of the habits of this

bat.
158
SCHLIEFFEN'S BAT
Scotophilus schlieffeni, Pet.
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. This little bat is a smoky-brown colour.
MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen in the flesh :
Head and body . . . . .48 mm.

Tail . . . . . . .,., , ..; 27
Hindfoot . 6
Ear . . . ii
DISTRIBUTION. This is a common Arabian species, but is

only found in Berbera in Somaliland, probably having been im-
ported in the hold of some ship. When the above specimen was
caught there were several flying about.
HABITS. An insectivorous bat with habits similar to other
insect-eating species.
Scotophilus nigrita lencogaster
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. This bat, which is olive-brown above and

yellowish brown below, has been caught in the north-west of
Somaliland towards the Harrar Plateau.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult female specimen in the

British Museum are as follows :
Head and body . . . , . .

70 mm.
Tail . . . . , . . . . . 48
Hindfoot . . . . . . . .10,,
Ear . . ... . , . .-.,-. 16
DISTRIBUTION. Hargeisa to Harrar in North-west Somaliland.

It has also been obtained in Italian Somaliland at Brava.
HABITS. Similar to other members of same genus.
160
Nyctinomus pussilus, Cretzschm.
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. This bat is smoky-brown all over, but con-

siderably darker above than below.
MEASUREMENTS. I have been unable to get the measure-

ments of this bat.
DISTRIBUTION. Caught by Captain Bottego at Brava, in

Italian Somaliland.
HABITS. Not known, but probably similar to others of the

same genus.
161
HORSE-SHOE BAT
Cardioderma cor, Pet.
Somali name, Fidmer
DESCRIPTION. The colour of this bat is above, french grey

below, silver grey and a pale creamy buff colour at the bases of
the ears. The ears, which are practically hairless, are joined to
each other by a bridge of skin, and the tragus is markedly
elongated. The external portion of the nose is formed by a
peculiar flap or leaf of flesh colour.
MEASUREMENTS taken in the flesh from a male specimen :
Head and body . . . . . . 86mm.

Tail . . . . . . . ; .
_
Hindfoot .
...
... . '% 15
.
. . . .
Ear . . . . . . 46
DISTRIBUTION. I have only obtained this bat at Ber, 18 miles
where
east of Burao, I found hundreds of them in an old disused
well.
HABITS.- Similar to other bats.
162
ORDER INSECTIVORA
FAMILY MACROSCELIDIDÊ
GENUS MA CROSCELIDES
M. re voilii
GENUS ELEPHANTUL US
E. somalicus
FAMILY ERINACEID^
GENUS-ERINA CE US
E. aethiopicua
E. albiventer
FAMILY
GENUS CROCIDURA
C. nana
C. somalica
C. smithii
C. sp. ?
163
REVOIL'S ELEPHANT SHREW
Macroscelides revoilii, Huet.
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of Revoil's shrew is greyish

brown above and on sides, while the chin, throat, chest, belly, hands
and feet are white. The white palpebral patches are quite
distinct. Underfur is slate. Hairs of tail dark brown and white,
getting longer towards tip of tail, where they form a small brush.
MEASUREMENTS of specimen obtained by me at

a male
Barkasan, at the foot of the Golis Range, 45 miles south-west of
Berbera, were :
Head and body . . , . . iiSmm.

Tail
Hindfoot
Ear.
. .
.
.
. ...
. .
.
. ..
...
.
.
140
37
25
DISTRIBUTION. Northern Somaliland.
HABITS. These shrews are to be often seen along the tracks in

the daytime, especially in stony localities. They move with lightning-
like rapidity and stop suddenly. They sit, stooping forwards
ready to spring off at a moment's notice, twitching their truncated
noses. They are diurnal, and their burrows are usually at the root
of some low-lying stunted acacia or in a heap of stones such as an
old Galla grave.
SOMALI ELEPHANT SHREW
Elephantulus somalicus, Thos.
Somali name, Walo
DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this truncated shrew

varies according to locality, those specimens from Ogo being
considerably darker in colour than those from Ogo-Guban and
Cuban. The general colour of a typical specimen from Ogo-
Guban is reddish fawn above, paler on sides, with chin, throat,
belly,hands and feet white. Underfur is slate. White palpebral
patches well marked. Tail darker above than below. No sign
of a tuft towards tip.
MEASUREMENTS of an adult male from Burao are :
Head and body . (

. . . . . in mm.
Tail. 126
Hindfoot.
Ear
.
,
.
.
.
. ... . . .
.
.
.-31
. . . , 23
DISTRIBUTION. Found in northern parts of British Somaliland

within 100 miles of the coast.
HABITS. This shrew is similar in habits to M. revoilii ;

it
always frequents more; or less stony sites, living in holes in the

ground or in among piles of rocks and stones. I have found
it living amicably together with Bruce's dassie and Speke's
pectinator.
166
THE HEDGEHOG
Erinaoeus sethiopicus, Hempr. and Ehr.
Somali name, Hcdig
DESCRIPTION. This hedgehog looks very much like the

European hedgehog. From the nape of the neck to the tail
the body is completely covered with short sharp spines which
are banded black and white. The muzzle and head are black
except for a broad white frontal band which passes right round
the head like a collar. The four feet are black.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of a male and a female specimen
captured on the maritime plain were as follows :
c? ?
Head and body . . . .212 mm. 215 mm.
Tail . . . . .20 20
Hindfoot . . . / . 28 27
Ear . . 24 23
DISTRIBUTION. This little hedgehog is very common on

the maritime plain, and more or less common all over Somaliland.
HABITS. Similar to all other hedgehogs. When attacked

it rolls itself into a ball and makes a peculiar noise, not unlike
the throbbing of a miniature engine. Periodically it gives vent
to a sort of half grunt, half bark sound. Its diet is probably
wholly insectivorous, although it is frequently found in gardens.
The Somalis- rather superstitious about hedgehogs, never

are
killing or injuring them, as they consider they are stars which
have fallen from the heavens, hence the vernacular name " Hedig,"
which means "a star."
167
THE WHITE-BELLIED HEDGEHOG
Erinaceus albiventer, Wagn.
Somali name, Hedig
DESCRIPTION. This pretty little hedgehog is like the fore-

going species, except that the whole head and underparts are
pure white. It also has rather more hair than it, owing to its
living in a colder climate.
MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen taken in the flesh were :

263 mm.
Tail . . , . . . . .14
Ear '. 27
Hindfoot . . '. . . . . .
27
DISTRIBUTION. I have only seen this hedgehog at Sheikh

(4,500ft.), where it is not uncommon.
HABITS. Similar to the last species.
168
THE LITTLE SHREW
Crocidura nana, Dobs.
Somali name, Jir
DESCRIPTION. This is by far the smallest of the Somali shrews.

It was first discovered by the brothers James and described by
"
Dobson, whose description of the type specimen is Fur above :
slate brown, with faint greyish tinge beneath white the colour of
;
the upper separated from that of the lower surface by a sharp

line. The feet are clothed with short shining whitish hairs. The
tail with short brownish hairs, with many long fine dark brown
hairs projecting almost to the tip. Ears moderate, clothed with

short dark brown hair."
MEASUREMENTS of the type specimen distorted skin from

Dollo are :
Head and body about 40 mm.

Tail
Hindfoot
. . .
.
...
. . , .
. . 30
. . . .-. . . . .-
8-5
Two other specimens obtained by C. V. A. Peel at Aik

measured, as skins :
Head and body . . . . 52 mm. 52 mm.

Tail . '.'. . . v .- ,- 35 37
Hindfoot . . V u . ; 8 8
DISTRIBUTION. Found probably throughout the Somali

country at an altitude of 4,500 ft., i.e. in the Haud, Nogal Valley
and Ogaden country.
HABITS. Nothing is known about the habits of this shrew.
169
THE SOMALI SHREW
Crocidura somalica, Thos.
Somali name, fir
DESCRIPTION. This shrew was first described by Thomas

from a specimen collected near the Webi Shebeleh by Col. A.
Paget. The description of the type specimen was as follows :
"
Size small, form slender. General colour above slaty-grey, more
or less variegated with brown. Belly clear grey, chin white.
Ears whitish, very finely haired. Hands and feet white. Tail
fairly long, slender, not markedly incrassated, but yet thicker at
its base, whence it evenly tapers to its tip pale brown above,
white below, the bristles white."
MEASUREMENTS of the above specimen in spirit were :
Head and body .. . . . . .

53 mm.
Tail . . ;. ..'..
._ . ..,..,. ; , 39
Hindfoot . , . . . .11*2
Forearm and hand .
^ . . . 1 5*6
DISTRIBUTION. The only specimen, the one described, came

from the Webi Shebeleh.
HABITS. Same as other members of same genus.
170
SMITH'S SHREW
Crooidura smithii, Thos.
Somali name,yi>
DESCRIPTION. This shrew was discovered by Dr. Donaldson

"
Smith and described by Mr. Oldfield Thomas as follows Face, :
crown, and back pale slaty-grey lips, cheeks, chin, chest, sides
and belly white, as are also the whole of the limbs. Ears short,
almost naked, their few fine hairs brown. Lateral glands distinct
(in male), the hairs above and below them stained rufous in the
type. Tail barely half the length of the head and body, thick,
tapering, rather thinly haired, pure white throughout."
MEASUREMENTS of the above, an adult male, in spirit :
Head and body .64 mm.

Tail
Hindfoot . ,
.
,
...
.
.
.
.
.
*
.
.
.
.
31
1 1
Ear -* --^ , ,.- 7*5

*|| :
-
t .v .
.
Forearm and hand . . . . . . 15-6
DISTRIBUTION. The above specimen was caught near the

Webi Shebeleh.
HABITS. As in other shrews.
Crocidura Sp.?
Somali name,y*>
DESCRIPTION. This shrew, which is probably distinct from

the foregoing species, was caught by me within 30 miles of the
coast, and as it appears to be very much paler in colour will
probably turn out to be a new species, which can only be decided
when further specimens are procured. General colour pale fawn-
grey above, underparts whitish. Lateral glands well marked
hairs above and below rufous. Fore and hind feet sparsely covered
with delicate white hairs. Tail thinly covered with short and long
delicate white hairs.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male :
Head and body t

. . . ".
-65 mm.
Tail . . . . . . .
56-2
Hindfoot . . . . . . . 12-5
Ear . /. . . . . . 10
The tail of this species is very much longer than C. sniithii,
which it seems to resemble in other respects.
DISTRIBUTION. Foothills of Golis Range. Caught at Goton,

near Armaleh.
HABITS. Same as other shrews.
'7*
ORDER EDENTATA
FAMILY ORYCTEROPODID^:
GENUS OR YCTEROPUS
0. aethiopicus
J73
8* a
THE ANTBEAR
Oryoteropus sethiopicus, Sund.
Somali name, Kharcndt
DESCRIPTION. The skin of the antbear is moderately well

covered with hair, but, owing to its constant habit of burrowing,
save on the backs of the hands and feet it is worn down to mere
bristles. In point of fact, wherever there is a part exposed to
friction there the hair is short and bristly. The tongue from root
to tip is about 12 in. in length. The bristles on the hands and
feet are coarse and usually black in colour.
MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of male and female specimens :
ct ?
39 in. 40 in.
Tail 22 24
Hindfoot 8| 8
Ear (anterior) . . .
6f 6J
(posterior) 7i 7 >,
Length of foreclaws . . .
if
Girth of root of tail . . .
i6J
Weight 98 Ib.
DISTRIBUTION. Throughout the Somali country except in the

most plentiful in the Haud.
coast districts
HABITS. The antbear is purely nocturnal in its habits, usually

emerging from its burrow a little before sundown. The rapidity
at which it digs is truly wonderful. On reaching a likely spot
it presses its flat snout on the earth and smells around. It then
starts digging and proceeds with great rapidity. Its forefeet, armed
with formidable claws, scrape back the soil under its body while it
176 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILANt)
rests on its two hindfeet and its tail. As soon as there is a good
accumulation of earth under ceases to dig, and, resting on
it, it its
forefeet in front and its tail behind, it shoots out the earth with its
hindfeet. In this manner it very soon digs itself beneath the

surface and is lost to sight. If a rope be tied to its hindlegs and
it be allowed to return to its burrow, no power can drag it forth
against its will. It lives entirely on termites.
APPENDIX I
A LIST of the Somali, Galla,and Abyssinian names for most of the game
animals in Somaliland and the adjacent countries.
ENGLISH.
APPENDIX II
HINTS ON REMOVING AND PREPARING SKINS OF

MAMMALS
SECTION A. LARGE MAMMALS
SPORTSMEN are, as a rule, by no careful enough about the proper
means
labelling of their specimens, consequently lose much of their
which
scientific value. Large Mammals, like small ones, should be carefully
labelled, with all particulars of date, sex, locality, altitude, etc. Specimen-
labels are shown beyond (page 181). The proper reference of each skull to
its own particular skin is also of much importance.
For skinning large the implements required are very few and
Mammals
inexpensive a shoemaker's knife, a scalpel, a small saw, and a pair of
pliers, with perhaps the addition of a pair of cutting-pincers, being
all
that are requisite. Any addition to this simple outfit only tends to en-
cumber the traveller unnecessarily, everything really depending upon the
skill with which the knife is wielded rather than upon the number and
nature of the implements themselves.
The great principle the operator should bear in mind is to make as few
incisionsas possible in the skin, and that these, so far as practicable,
should be confined to the middle line of the under surface of the body,
and to the inner sides of the limbs. If this be attended to, the slits will
be but little conspicuous when the specimens are mounted. In Moham-
medan countries the natives have a practice of cutting the throats of
animals from ear to ear immediately they fall, in order that they may
be bled after the orthodox fashion. Such gashes have, of course, to be
sewn up when the specimen is mounted, with the result that the region of
"
the throatis disfigured by ugly seams. In his book entitled Seventeen
Trips to Somaliland," Major Swayne has shown that by a little gentle
persuasion the natives can be induced to so modify the halal (as the
operation is called) that the damage to the specimen is reduced to a
minimum and probably a
;
similar
modification might
be assented to by
the Mohammedans of other countries.
178
APPENDIX II 179
In the case of hornless animals, such as a lion or tiger, preparatory to

commencing operations, the carcase about to be skinned should be turned
on its back, and the fore and hind limbs held outwards by assistants, as far
as they can be easily stretched. The operator should then make a straight
incision with the knifefrom the chin along the middle line of the under
surface of the body to the tip of the tail. In making this and the
other incisions great care should be taken to avoid cutting more than
possible into the flesh, and, above all, not to lay open the cavity of the
abdomen. The next procedure is to make cuts diverging from the main
incision, in order to enable the limbs to be stripped. In the case of the
fore legs the lateral cuts should be carried from the middle line through the
armpits down the inner side of each limb, the knife being held pointing
somewhat outwardly, in order that the seams made in sewing up the cuts
should be as inconspicuous as possible in the mounted specimens. In the
hind limbs the incisions should be carried through the groin, and so down-
wards in the same manner as in the fore limbs.
In the case of horned animals (exclusive of rhinoceroses, in which the
horns are removed with the skin) it will be necessary, when the carcase is
again turned, to make an incision from the crown of the head down the
middle line of the neck to such a distance as will admit of the horns
or antlers being passed through the slit thus made when the skin is re-
moved from the head. In no case should the head-skin be severed from
that of the body.
When the above-mentioned cuts have been made, the skin of the
all
chest will be the form of lappets.

left in Commencing by the application
of the knife to the point of one of these lappets, the skin should be
gradually stripped from the body, tail, and limbs, special care and attention
being requisite in order to avoid damaging the feet, of which the natural
contour should be so far as possible preserved. In the case of the smaller
specimens, whether deer, antelopes, carnivora, or monkeys, the terminal
toe-bones may be left in the skin but their complete removal is desirable
;
in thelarger representatives of these groups, as well as in still bigger

animals, such as elephants, hippopotami, and rhinoceroses. Special
measures have to be taken with the three latter, but in the case of
carnivora and monkeys the skin of the toes should be drawn over them by
turning it inside-out, and the joints cut with the pliers where required.
The next process is to turn over the carcase and draw the skin forwards
over the head, when the separation of the ears and the severance of the
closely adherent skin round the eyes will demand somewhat delicate
manipulation. The conchs of the ears should be severed close to the
skull, in order to avoid forming apertures of too large size in the skin ; and
in the case of the eyelids particular care should be taken in order to avoid
ISO THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
gashing the skin, since even the smallest slit in this region will tend to
spread to a great extent, and thus cause almost irreparable injury to the
specimen. The lips should be cut off as close as possible to the gums.
It may be added that in the case of animals of the approximate size of
a fox, the skin of the tail may be stripped off entire, without slitting the
under surface ; but for animals of this size not intended for mounting, see
page 184.
Having now removed the skin from the carcase, the next process is to
cut away completely all fragments of flesh and fat which may have been
left adhering to its inner surface. The cartilages of the ears must also be
dissected out with the scalpel, by turning back the skin over them after ;
which the inner surface should be well anointed with some preservative
powder, paste or liquid. The scalpel must also be passed between the
outer skin and the inner mucous lining of the lips, and the slit thus made
well dressed with the same substance. The eyelids have likewise to be
thoroughly dressed with preservative ; and if necessary, on account of
their thickness, they should be slit open with the scalpel from the inside.
The skin has now to be dried, which may be effected, if that of a
large animal, by pegging it out (without undue stretching), hair
either
downwards on the ground, or by folding and drying it in such a manner
that large. creases should not be formed. Smaller skins should always be
folded and dried without creasing. Some preservative, such as alum,
or one of the special preparations sold for the purpose by dealers, should
now be well rubbed in, especially on the ears, mouth, feet, etc., and the
whole specimen sprinkled with the same. The hairy side of the skin has
next. to be well anointed with turpentine, and the specimen will be ready
for packing. When skins are shot during the rainy season, they are very
difficult to get dried,and it is then recommended that, if possible, they
should be pickled in brine.
In addition to the skin, it is essential that the skull, and, if possible, the
bones of the limbs, -."should be preserved as complete as possible. The
fleshshould be carefully cut away, the brain taken out through the natural
hole at the back, and *the bones soaked for a few hours in water, after
which they may be dried in the sun, In hot, dry climates the teeth
should be coated with wax in order to prevent their splitting. A wash
of turpentine over the skulls and other bones will prevent the ravages of
insects.
SECTION B. SMALL MAMMALS

i. With the freshly killed carcase before you, write the label. This
should bear on the front a current number, the date, sex, locality,
APPENDIX II l8l
altitude above sea (in metres or feet), and your signature ; on the
back the following measurements in millimetres, taken in the flesh :
(i) length of head and body; (2) of tail without end hairs; (3) hind
foot without claws ; and (4) ear, from notch at base to tip. In the
case of the first two measurements, the body should be straightened out
as much as possible, and the tail bent upwards at a sharp angle, and
the measurements should then be taken from a point in the angle (see
illustrations on page 183). The label should also have on its back any
notes that may strike you about the habits of the animal, its native
name, or the character of the locality.
EXAMPLE OF LABEL
FRONT
P DATE /ff flalvs SEX <T B.M. No.
| O^
85 ALT .
BACK
H. * 8. &T. FIELD NOTES

"
TL -
.
EAR a 9 SKULL.
It is important that the positions of the different items, the method
of writing dates, and the direction of the writing (away from the thread)
should be exactly as in the example, so that skins from different sources
may be similarly labelled.
all
2. the skin by cutting up the belly from the anus to the

Open
hinder end of the breast-bone ; first push one and then the other knee
through the opening, and cut through the legs at the knee-joints, leaving
in the shin-bones ; clear off the chief muscles of the leg-bones, and
separate the skin from the body all round the tail; then, holding the
skin at the base of the tail firmly between the finger- and the thumb-
nails, or in the fork of a cleft stick, pull over the vertebrae from
inside with the forceps ; then, gradually turning the skin inside-out,
skin up over the body, shoulders, and head, separating the fore limbs
it
at the elbow-joint, and taking great care not to cut it in passing over
the eyes ; skin it entirely off over the mouth, cutting carefully round
the lips. Throughout the operation plenty of fine sawdust will be
found of great assistance in keeping the hands, and
consequently the fur,
dry and unsoiled.
3. Clean with sawdust the inside of the skin from blood, fat, etc., and
then brush it all over with arsenical soap, being especially careful that
the insides of the limbs get some put on them. Do not put any poison,
especially powdered arsenic, on the outer furry side of the skins. But
pepper, naphthaline, or camphor may be used to keep off moths from
the skin when travelling.
4. Turn the skin back right side out, and fill the cavity of the
body with cotton-wool, putting it in as far as possible in one piece.
Or the skin may be reversed over the wool by putting the forceps up
the furry side of the skin from the tail-end, and grasping the wool
body through the mouth. Take care just to fill out the skin without
over-stretching it, and get all your skins filled out to about the
try to
same degree. Take a
piece of straight wire long enough to extend from
the front end of the belly-opening to the tip of the tail; sharpen, if
necessary, one end of it, and wind round it enough cotton-wool to fill
out the skin of the tail ; then brush it with arsenical soap, and push
the pointed end down to the extreme tip of the tail-skin, and fit the
near end into the belly, packing it round with the wool of the body.
Put some wool into the empty skin of the arms and legs, winding it
round the bones and connecting it with the wool of the body. Then
stitch up the opening down the belly. Tie the label on to the right
hind foot above the ankle.
5. Lay the skin on a board or piece of cork, draw out the fore-
paws forwards, and pin them down to the board by a pin passed boldly
through the middle of the paw. Take care that they are pinned close
in to the sides of the neck or head, in order to prevent their claws
catching in other skinswhen all are packed together in boxes. Similarly,

pin back, soles downwards^ the hind feet by the sides of the tail. It
is of considerable importance that neither fore nor hind feet should
project laterally outwards, nor should curl up in drying, and that the
fingers and toes should be kept close together and parallel, not spread
out sideways.
6. As the skin dries, try to get the face to assume as natural a
shape as possible. The ears in foxes, hares, rats, and mice may be
neatly folded backwards ; in bats, squirrels, and other animals they
should stand up in an erect position.
7. Disarticulate the skull from the trunk, label it with your initials
and the corresponding number to that on the skin, and then let it dry.
In a dry climate this may be done almost without any cleaning and ;
even in a wet one, if the skull be dropped into some sawdust artificially
1 84 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
dried, little cleaning need be done ;

in any case the tongue should
always be left in to protect the palate-bones. In a general way try
to do as little to the skull as the climate will admit of but, of course,
it must not be allowed to become rotten. Drying naturally or artificially
is the best, and arsenic or other chemicals should not be put on it,
insects being kept off by the use of naphthaline or other disinfectant.
Fly-blown skulls should not be dropped into the same box with other
drying skulls, nor should fresh skulls be shut into tightly closed boxes.
A convenient way to dry the skulls is to place them immediately they are
taken out and labelled into a muslin bag with a little sawdust, and then
to hang the bag in the air, sun, or before the fire, so as to dry them
without exposing them to the attacks of blow-flies.
8. Pack the skins up carefully in small boxes when they are dry,
in layers, with enough wool between them to prevent their shaking about.
Do notthem up separately in paper.
roll
a good plan to have with you an ordinary cork-lined insect-box,

It is
in which the pieces of cork can be pinned for travelling. When the skins
are partly dry, they can be taken off the separate pieces of cork, and
pinned close together in the box, where they can safely travel and dry at
the same time.
Bats should be skinned like other animals, but the limbs are
9.
separated at the shoulders and hip-joints instead of the elbows and knees.
They are also pinned down in the usual way, the pins running through
the wrist-joint and the hind feet. The wings should not be spread out, but
should be folded up on each side of the body in such a way as not to hide
the fur of the belly. The thumbs should be made to point inwards or
APPENDIX II 185
backwards, not outwards. The hind legs may be spread sufficiently to

stretch the membrane between them, and then their breadth taken as a
guide for the breadth of the wings when folded. One or two specimens
of each species should also, if possible, be preserved in spirit.
The skinning of larger animals must necessarily be somewhat different
from the above ;
but the labelling and make-up of skins should be as
described, except that when the combined lengths of body and tail exceed
thirty-nine inches the tail should be bent round sideways on itself or along
the side of the body.
WANTED, generally, all small Mammals, however common i.e.
Squirrels, Rats, Mice, Shrews, Moles, Bats, Weasels, Stoats, etc., etc.
Domesticated animals are, however, not wanted, nor are rats or mice
caught in houses in towns. Do not be afraid of sending too many of the
same sort, if carefully prepared and labelled as above described. This
direction, however, would necessarily be modified in the case of specimens
collected for sale. Series of skins representing the different seasons are
always of interest.
Such animals are to be obtained chiefly by setting traps in likely
places, runs and mouse-holes being specially looked for. A stock of small
metal traps should be taken out by the collector, who should also look
out for effective native traps. Pitfall-traps, made out of glass or metal jars
sunk in flush with the ground, are also very often successful.
BRITISH MUSEUM (NATURAL HISTORY),

CROMWELL ROAD, LONDON, S.W.
November 30, 1905
APPENDIX III
NOTICE
The following Ordinance, made by His Majesty's Commissioner for
the Somaliland Protectorate, is published for general information.
(Signed) H. A, BYATT,
Secretary to Administration.
BERBER A, July lotA, 1907.
SOMALILAND PROTECTORATE
AN ORDINANCE
Enacted by His Majesty's Commissioner for the Somaliland Pro-
tectorate.
(Signed) H. E. S. CORDEAUX,
His Majesty's Commissioner.
BERBERA, June izth, 1907.
NO. 2 OF 1907
Game Preservation
i. In this Ordinance
" "
Definitions. Hunt, kill, or capture means hunting, killing, or capturing by any
method, and includes every attempt to kill or capture.
" "
Hunting includes molesting.
"
Game" means any animal mentioned in any of the Schedules.
" "
Public officer means a European officer in the public service of the
Somaliland Protectorate, or an officer of one of His Majesty's ships visiting
the coast.
" "
means any native of
Native Africa, not being of European or
American race or parentage.
186
APPENDIX III 187
"Settler" means a person for the time being resident in the Pro-
a native.
tectorate, not being a public officer or
" "
Sportsman means a person who visits the Protectorate wholly or
partly for sporting purposes, not being a public officer, settler, or native.
" "
means the Administrative Officer in charge of a
District Officer
district of the Protectorate.
" "
and " Schedules
"
Schedule refer to the Schedules annexed to this
Ordinance.
General Provisions
2. No person, unless he is authorized by a special licence in that First

S(
behalf, shall hunt, kill, or capture any of the animals mentioned in the
First Schedule.
3. No person unless he is authorized by a special licence under this Second
Ordinance, shall hunt, kill, or capture any animal of the kinds mentioned
in the Second Schedule, if the animal be
(a) Immature ;
or
(b) A
female accompanied by its young.
4. No person, unless he is authorized under this Ordinance, shall hunt, NO shoot-
ept
kill, or capture any animal mentioned in the Third Schedule. Iêr
hcence.
z. The Commissioner may, J
if he thinks fit, by Proclamation, declare
* '
Power of
that the name of any species, variety, or sex of animal, whether beast or Commis-
bird, not mentioned in any Schedule hereto, shall be added to a particular alter
S<
Schedule, or that the name of any species or variety of animal mentioned
or included in one Schedule shall be transferred to another Schedule, and,
if he thinks apply such declaration to the whole of the Protectorate, or
fit,
restrict any district or districts in which he thinks it expedient that

it to
the animal should be protected.
6. No person shall within the Protectorate sell, or purchase, or offer, or Sale of
expose for sale any ostrich eggs, or any head, horns, skin, or flesh of any
animal mentioned in any of the Schedules, unless the ostrich or animal
has been kept in a domesticated state ; and no person shall knowingly
store,pack, convey, or export any part of any animal which he has
reason to believe has been killed or captured in contravention of this
Ordinance.
7. If any person is found to be in possession of any elephant's tusk Possession
weighing less than 25 lb., or any ivory being, in the opinion of the Court,
part of an elephant's tusk which would have weighed less than 25 lb., he
shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance, and the tusk or ivory
shall be forfeited unless he proves that the tusk or ivory was not obtained
in breach of this Ordinance.
i88 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND
Power of 8. Where
appears to the Commissioner that any method used for
it
Commis-
sioner to
animals is unduly destructive, he may, by Proclamation,
killing or capturing
prohibit
certain prohibit such method, or prescribe the conditions under which any
methods of method may be used ; and if any person uses any method so prohibited, or
.capture.
uses any method otherwise than according to the conditions so prescribed,
he be liable to the same penalties as for a breach of this Ordinance.
shall
Animal not 9. Save as provided by this Ordinance, or by any Proclamation under

scheduled
this Ordinance, any person may hunt, kill, or capture any animal not
may be
killed with
out licence.
mentioned in any of the Schedules.
Game Reserves
Game 10. The areas described in the Fifth Schedule hereto are hereby
reserves.
declared to be game reserves.
Power of The Commissioner,
with the approval of the Secretary of State, may,
Commis-
sioner to by Proclamation, declare any other portion of the Protectorate to be a
declare and
alter game reserve, and may define or alter the limits of any game reserve, and
reserves.
this Ordinance shall apply to every such game reserve.
Save as provided in this Ordinance, or by any such Proclamation, any
person who, unless he is authorized by a special licence, hunts, kills, or
captures any animal whatever in a game reserve, or is found within a game
reserve under circumstances showing that he was unlawfully in pursuit of
any animal, shall be guilty of a breach of this Ordinance.

Close 11. There shall be an annual close-time for game in the Protectorate,
season.
from the i5th March to the i5th June, both days inclusive, during which,
notwithstanding any authorization conferred on licence-holders under this
Ordinance, no game animals mentioned in the four Schedules annexed to
this Ordinance shall be hunted, killed, or captured.
Licences to Europeans; etc.
Licences. 12. The following licences may be granted by the Commissioner, or
any District Officer or such person or persons as may be authorized by the

Commissioner, that is to say :
(1) A sportsman's licence;

(2) A public officer's licence ;
and
(3) A settler's licence.
Fees The
following fees shall be payable for licences, that is to say, for a
payable.
sportsman's licence, 500 rupees, and for a public officer's or a settler's
licence, 100 rupees.
Duration Every licence shall be in force for one year only from the date of issue.
pf licence.
Provided that a public officer's licence may be granted for a single
APPENDIX III 189
period of 14 consecutive days in one year on payment of a fee of 30

rupees.
Every licence shall bear in full the name of the person to whom Form of
hcence -
it granted, the date of issue, the period of its duration, and the
is
signature of the Commissioner, District Officer or other person authorized

to grant licences.
The
applicant for a licence may be required to give security by Security
bond or deposit, not exceeding 2,000 rupees, for his compliance with ^quired,
this Ordinance, and with the additional conditions (if any) contained in
his licence.
A licence is not transferable. Transfer of
Every licence must be produced when called for by any officer of production
of licence.
the Protectorate Government.
In granting licences under this Ordinance a District Officer or any Restric-
person authorized to grant licences shall observe any general or particular

instructions of the Commissioner.
A
sportsman's licence and a public officer's licence respectively Sports-
13.
authorize the holder to hunt, kill, or capture animals of any of the
species mentioned in the Third Schedule, but unless the licence other-
wise provides, not more than the number of each species fixed by the
second column of that Schedule.
The holder of a sportsman's or public officer's licence granted under Additional
this Ordinance may by the licence be authorized to kill or capture under a
additional animals of any such species on payment of such additional
fees as may be prescribed by the Commissioner.
14. A settler's licence authorizes the holder to hunt, kill, or capture Settler's
animals of the species and to the number mentioned in the Fourth

Schedule only.
15. A public officer's licence shall not be granted except to a public TO whom
/-/- ^ f licencesi
officer, save that the Commissioner may issue a limited number of may be
public officer's licences to military officers of the Aden Garrison.
I8:
A
settler's licence shall not be granted except to a settler, but a sportsman's
licence may be granted to a settler.
1 6. Where it
appears proper to the Commissioner for scientific or Shooting
e
administrative reasons, he may grant a special licence to any person, Sfowe d in
not being a native, to kill or capture animals of any one or more species for specific
mentioned in any of the Schedules, or to kill, hunt, or capture in a
game reserve specified beasts 'or birds of prey, or other animals whose
presence is detrimental to the purposes of the game reserve, or in
particular cases, to kill or capture, as the case may be, in a game reserve,
an animal or animals of any one or more species mentioned in the
Schedules.
Conditions A
special licence shall be subject to such conditions as to fees and
al
iic2ce! security (if any), number, sex, and age of specimens, district and season
for hunting and other matters as the Commissioner may prescribe.
Save as aforesaid, the holder of a special licence shall be subject
to the general provisions of this Ordinance, and to the provisions relating
to holders of licences.
Register of 17. shall keep a register of the animals killed

Every licence-holder
810
Jekept or captured by him
form specified in the Seventh Schedule.
in the
and sub- The Register shall be submitted as often as convenient, but not less
quarterly frequently than once in three months, to the nearest District Officer,
who shall countersign the entries up to date.
and pro- Any person authorized may at any time call upon
to grant licences
ducedon
demand
.. .'--.-
any licence-holder to produce his register for inspection.
and on Every person holding a sportsman's licence shall likewise before leaving
V
tne p"?- the Protectorate submit his register to the District Officer of the port
tectorate.
Penalty for If any holder of a licence failsto keep his register truly he shall
failure to , ., r .
,-/^-,-
keep be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance.
Commissioner may revoke any licence when he is satisfied
Commis- that the holder has been guilty of a breach of this Ordinance or of his
sioner to , ,
revoke licence, or hasconnived with any other person in any such breach, or
that in any matters in relation thereto he has acted otherwise than in
good faith.
and to re- 19. The Commissioner may at his discretion direct that a licence
ssue>
under this be refused to any applicant.
Ordinance shall
if licence 2O. Any person whose licence has been lost or destroyed may obtain
another a fresh licence for the remainder of his term on payment of a fee not
6
Issued exceeding one-fifth of the fee paid for the licence so lost or destroyed.
Trespass- 2i. No
licence granted under this Ordinance shall entitle the holder
Imvate
to hunt, kill, or capture any animal, or to trespass upon private property
property, without the consent of the owner or occupier.
Penalty for 22. Any person who, after having killed or captured animals to the
animals in number and of the species authorized by his licence, proceeds to hunt,
the^mimber ^^ or ca P ture anv animals which he is not authorized to kill or
allowed.
capture, shall be guilty of a breach of this Ordinance, and punishable
accordingly.
Servants of 23.Persons in the employment of holders of licences may, without
licence, assist such holders of licences in hunting animals, but shall not
use fire-arms.
Forfeiture In any case of a breach of this Ordinance the licence of every
licence-holder concerned in the breach shall be liable to forfeiture, and
such licence-holder shall be guilty of an offence.
APPENDIX III Ipl
24. The Commissioner or any person authorized by him

in that Power of
_ Commis-
behalf may, at his discretion, require any person importing fire-arms or sioner to
ammunition that may be used by such person for the purpose of killing
taken out
game or other animals to take out a licence under this Ordinance, and
'
may refuse to allow the fire-arms or ammunition to be taken from the

public warehouse until such licence is taken out. Save, as aforesaid,
"
nothing in this Ordinance shall affect the provisions of The Somaliland
Fire-arms Regulations, 1905."
Restrictions on Killing Game by Natives
25.Except as regards the animals mentioned in Schedule I, and Killing

y
larger and lesser kudu, the killing of which by natives will be prohibited, naffve s
the provisions of this Ordinance as to the killing of animals other than

in the reserve will not for the present be applied to the inland tribes
who have hitherto been accustomed to depend on the flesh of wild
animals for their subsistence.
Legal Procedure
26. Where any public officer of the Somaliland Protectorate thinks Power of a
it
expedient for the purpose of verifying the register 'of a licence-holder officer to
or suspects that any person has been guilty of a breach of this suspicion
Ordinance, he may and search, or authorize any subordinate
inspect
Officer to inspect and search, any baggage, packages, waggons, tents,
building, or caravan belonging to or under the control of such person

or his agent and if the Officer finds any heads, tusks, skins or other
;
remains of animals appearing to have been killed, or any live animals

appearing to have been captured, in contravention of this Ordinance,
he shall seize and take the same before a Magistrate to be dealt with
according to law.
27. Any person who hunts, kills, or captures any animals in Penalty for
contravention of this Ordinance, or otherwise commits any breach of dnSnance.
this Ordinance, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine which may
extend to 1,000 rupees, and, where the offence relates to more animals
than two, to a fine in respect of each animal which may extend to
500 rupees, and in either case to imprisonment which may extend to
two months, with or without a fine.
In all cases of conviction, any heads, horns, tusks, skins, or other Forfeiture
remains of animals found in the possession of the offender or his agent,

and all live animals captured in contravention of this Ordinance, shall
be liable to forfeiture.
I
If the person convicted is the holder of a licence, his licence may
be revoked by the Court.
Reward 28. Where in any proceeding under this Ordinance any fine is
informers, imposed, the Court may award any sum or sums not exceeding half
the total fine to any informer or informers.
Repeal, etc.
Repeal 29. All previous regulations as to the killing of game in the

clause.
Protectorate are hereby repealed.
Form of 30. The forms of licences appearing in the Schedule hereto, with such
licences.
modifications as circumstances require, may be used.
"
Short title.
31. This Ordinance may be cited as The Somaliland Game Preserva-
tion Ordinance 1907."
SCHEDULES *
FIRST SCHEDULE
ANIMALS not to be hunted, killed, or captured by any person except

under special licence :
1. Zebra, all species. 7. Elephant.

2. Giraffe. 8. Vultures.
3. Eland. 9. Secretary birds.
4. Gnu. 10. Owls.
5. Wild ass. 11. Ostrich, female and young.
6. Buffalo.
SECOND SCHEDULE
ANIMALS, the females of which are not to be hunted, killed, or

captured when accompanied by their young, and the young of which are
not to be captured except under special licence :
1. Rhinoceros.
2. All antelopes and gazelles.
*
These Schedules may contain the names of species or varieties not found, or only
occasionally found in Somaliland.

APPENDIX III
THIRD SCHEDULE
ANIMALS, limited numbers of which may be killed or captured under
a Sportsman's or Public Officer's licence :
Species. Number allowed under licence.
1. Rhinoceros
2. Antelopes and Gazelles :
(i) Oryx 3
(ii) Greater Kudu {Strcpsiceros) i
(iii) Lesser Kudu (Jmberbis) i
(iv) Swayne's Hartebeest . i
(v) Clarke's Gazelle . i
(vii) Beira ....

(vi) Klipspringer
(viii) Pelzeln's Gazelle

2
2
2
(ix) Waller's Gazelle .
4
(x) Speke's Gazelle . 10
(xi) Soemmering's Gazelle 10
(xii) Dik-dik (of each species) 15
3.
4.
5.
Cheetah
Aard-wolf ....
Smaller monkeys (of each species)
2
2
2
6. Ostrich, males I
7. Marabous 2
8. Egrets 2
9. Greater Bustards . 2
10. Wild Pig (of each species) 6
11. Smaller Cats . 10
FOURTH SCHEDULE
ANIMALS, which may be killed under Settler's licence :
Species. Number allowed under licence.
1. Speke's Gazelle 10
2. Soemmering's Gazelle 10
3. Waller's Gazelle 4
4. Dik-dik .
5. Wild Pig (of each species)

6. Smaller Cats .
FIFTH SCHEDULE
Game Reserves
i. The area bounded by a line

running from Geloker Hill through
Lower Sheikh and the Sheikh's tomb to Fodyer Bluff, thence West along the
13
KEY TO PLATE OF THE SOMALI ANTELOPES
1. Strepsiceros kudu.
2. Oryx beisa.
3. Strepsiceros imberbis.
4- >j ,,
5. Gazella pelzelni.
6. spekei.
7. Lithocranius walleri.
8. Bubalis swaynei.
9. Dorcatragus melanotis.
10. Oreotragus saltator.
1 1 . Cobus defassa.
12. Damaliscus jimela.
13. Tragelaphus scriptus decula.
14. Gazella soemmering.
15. Ammodorcas clarkei.
16.
APPENDIX III 195
crest of the Golis Range to Daras Bluff, thence South through Armaleh
to Garbardir Hill, thence East through Deimoleh-yer Hill to Geloker
Hill.
2. The area bounded by a line running from Lafarug through Mandeira
and the Jerato Pass to Syk, Talawa-Yer and Hargeisa River to Haraf,
thence to Sattawa at the intersection of the loth parallel with 44 East
meridian, and thence along the icth parallel to its starting point at
Lafarug.
SIXTH SCHEDULE
No. i. Sportsman's Licence (Fee, 500 rupees) ;

or Public Officer's Licence
(fee, 100 rupees)
A.B.y of is hereby licensed to hunt, kill, or capture wild

,
animals within the Somaliland Protectorate for one year from the date
hereof subject to the provisions and restrictions of " The Somaliland Game
Preservation Ordinance, 1907."
The said A.B. is authorized, subject to the same Ordinance, to kill or
capture the following animals in addition to the number of the same
species allowed by the Ordinance, that is to say :
Fee paid, rupees.

Dated this day of , 190 .
(Signed)
H.M. Commissioner (or District Officer).
No. 2. Settler's Game Licence (Fee, 100 rupees)
C.D., of hereby licensed to hunt, kill, or capture wild

, is
animals within the district of the Somaliland Protectorate for

one year from the date hereof, but subject to the provisions and restrictions
"
of The Somaliland Game Preservation Ordinance, 1907."
Dated this day of , 190 .
(Signed)
If. M. Commissioner (or District Officer).
196 APPENDIX III
SEVENTH SCHEDULE
Game Register
Species.
INDEX
brockmani, Mus, 127
Bruce's Dassie, 109
Aardwolf, 37
Bubalis swaynei, 57
Acomys mullah, 128
Bushbuck, 91
Aderyo, 95
cethiopicus, Erinaceus, 167
Orycteropus, 175
,, Phacochcerus 100
,
Cam's famelicus, 48
athiops, Cercopithecus, 3
albicanda, Herpestes, 28 ,, mesomelas, 46
albiventer, Ennaceus, 168 ,, vartegatus, 45
Alikut, 63 Caracal, 21
Ammodillus imbellis, 124 Cardioderma COY, 162
Ammodorcas clarkei, 83 Cat, Wild, 20
amphibius, Hippopotamus, 99 Cercopithecus cethiops, 3

Ano Cheetah, 22
gub, 145
Clarke's Gazelle, 83
Antbear, 175
Cobus defassa, 74
Aoul, 78
Arba, in 145
cristata, Hystrix,
cristatus, Proteles,
37
Arreh, Godir, 95
Arvicanthis somalicus, 129 Crocidura nana, 169
Atkinson's Mungoose, 32 smithii, 171
,, somalica, 170
sp ?, 172
crocuta, Hycena, 41
Crossarchus somalicus, 34
Baboon, Rock, 4
Bakhaileh, 153 CyncBlurus jubatus, 22
Balengo, 74 Cynocephalus hamadryas, 7
Bat, Slit-faced, 157
Baune, 109, 149
Be'id or Bi'id, 89
Beira, 65 Dabagalleh, 115
beisa, Oryx, 89 Damaliscus jimela, 59
bicornis, Rhinoceros, 106 Dameir dibbaded, 103
198 INDEX
Dar'ad, 95 Fibrous Rat, 129

Dassie, Bruce's, 109 Fidmer, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162
Dawao, 45, 46, 48 Fox, Desert, 48
decula, 91 ,, Long-eared, 49
defassa, Cobus, 74 fulvidior, H. ochraceus, 30
Desert Fox, 48
Dhero, 75, 77
Dibatag, 83
Didthir, 39
Galago galla rum, 7
Dik-dik, Gunther*s, 72
Gazelle, Clarke's, 83
Kirk's, 71
Pelzeln's, 77
Phillips', 68
,, Soemmering's, 78
Swayne's, 70
Speke's, 75
Dinad sabad, 20
Waller's, 80
,, habashi, 19
Genet, 27
Dipodillus Peeli, 123 Gerbillus dunni, 120
,, sp ?, 121, 122
sp ?, 1 19
Diyar, 3, 4 Gerenuk, 80
Dofar, 100
Ghorialeh, 92
Dog, Wild, 50 Ghussuleh, 71
dongolensis, Genetta, 27
glaber, Heterocephalus, 137
Dorcatragus melanotis, 65 Godir, 92, 95
Dunn's Gerbille, 120 Gol Ass, 68
Golleh waraba, 49
gordoni, Jaculus, 141
grevyii,Equus, 105
Elephant, in Grivet Monkey, 3
,, Shrew, 165 gubanensis, M. 68
phillipsi,
Elephantulus somalicus, 166 Gududonneh, 21
Equus asinus somalicus, 103 Gumburi, 103
,, grevyii, 105 guntheri, Rhynchotragus, 72
Erinaceus ceihiopicus, 167
Guyu, 70
,, albiv enter, 168
H
Habashi, Dinad, 19
famelicus, Canis, 48 hamadryas, Papio, 4
Faro, 105 Hare, Somali, 153
Felis Caracal, 21 Harimat, 22
leo, ii Hartebeest, Swayne's, 57
,, ocreata, 20 Topi, 59
,, pardus, 14 Hawas, 99
,, pardus nanopardus, 17 Hedgehog, Êthiopian, 167
,, Serval, 19 ,, White-bellied, 168
INDEX 199
Hedig, 167, 168 leucogaster, S. nigrita, 160

Helogale atkinsoni, 32 Lepus, 153
hirtula, 33 Libah, n
Herpestes albicauda, 28 Lion, ii
,, ochraceus, 29 Lithocranius walleri, So
,, ,, perfulvidus, 31 Lophiomys smithii, 133
,, ,, fulvidior, 30 Lycaon pictus somalicus, 50
Heterocephalus glaber, 137 Lynx, 21
Hippopotamus amphibius, 99
hirtula, Helogale, 33 M
Hor, 53 Macroscelides revoilii, 165
Hyaena, Spotted, 41 Madoqua phillipsi, 68
Hyaena, Striped, 39 ,, ,, gubanensis, 68
Hystrix cristata, 145 swaynei, 70
kirkii, 71
Marodi, in
megalotis, Otocyon, 49
imbellis,Ammodillus, 124
melanotis, Dorcatragus, 65
imberbis, Strepsiceros, 95
Mellivora ratel, 53
mesomelas, Cam's, 46
Monkey, Grivet, 3
Mountain Zebra, 105
Jackal, Black-backed, 46
Mouse, Spinous, 128
Grey, 45
mullah, Acomys, 128
Jaculus gordoni, 141
Mungoose, Atkinson's, 32
Jehas, 99
Banded, 34
Jerboa, 141
Red, 31
jimela, Damaliscus, 59
Shaggy, 33
Jir, 127, 128, 129, 169, 170, 171, 172
Tawny, 30
jubatus, Cyncslurus, 22
White-tailed, 28
Yellow, 29
K Mus brockmani, 127
Kharendi, 175
Klipspringer, 63 N
Kudu, Greater, 92 nana, Crocidura, 169
Lesser, 95
Nanopardus, felis pardus, 17
Kulo Adadi, 7
Nyctinomus pussilus, 161
Nycteris, vide Petalia, 157
Lemur, 7
Leopard, Hunting, 22 ochraceus, Herpestes, 29
,, Common, 14 ochreata, Felis, 20
Pigmy, 17 Oreotragus somalicus, 63
2OO INDEX
orleansi, Elephas africanus, in Shambel, 37

Orycteropus athiopicus, 175 Shebel, 14, 17, 19
Oryx beisa, 89 Shrew, Elephant, 165
Otocyon megalotis, 49 Little, 169
Smith's, 171
,, Somali, 170
C. sp. ?, 172
Shug-shug, 32, 3/1
Papio hamadryas, 4
Pectinator spekei, 149 Sig, 57
Smith's Crested Rat, 133
Peel's Dipodille, 123
Pelzeln's Gazelle, 77
,, Shrew, 171
Speke's Gazelle, 75
perfulvidus, H. ochraceus, 31
Petalia thebaica, 157 ,, Pectinator, 149
Phacochcerus cethiopicus, 100 Spinous Mouse, 128

Soemmering's Gazelle, 78
Phillips' Dik-dik, 68
somalensis, Lepus, 153
Pigmy Leopard, 17
somalica, Crocidura, 170
Porcupine, 145
,, Procavia brucei, 109
Procavia brucei somalica, 109
Proteles cristatus, 37 somalicus, Arvicanthis, 129
,, Crossarchus, 34
pussilus, Nyctinomus, 161
,, Elephantulus 166,
,, Equus asinus, 103

,, Lycaon pictus, 50
,, Oreotragus, 63
Rat, Brockman's, 127 ,, Vespertilio minutus, 158
,, Fibrous, 129 Songur, 28

,, Great African Crested, 133 Sorgur, 29, 30, 31
,, Naked, 137 Strepsiceros imberbis, 95
ratel, Mellivora, 53 ,, kudu, 92
revoilii, Macroscelides, 165 Striped Hyaena, 39
Rhinoceros, 106 Swayne's Dik-dik, 70
Rhynchotragus guntheri, 72 Hartebeest, 57
thebaica, Petalia, 157

Sabad, Dinad, 20
Topi, 59
Sakaro, 68
Tragelaphus scriptus decula, 91
Schlieffen's Bat, 159
Scotophilus nigrita leucogaster, 160
schlieffeni, 159 U
scriptus decula, Tragelaphus, 91
Serval, 19 Unwarlike Ammodille, 124
Shaggy Mungoose, 33 Urgobeh, 16
INDEX 201
Wild Ass, Somali, 103

Vespertilio minutus somalicus, 158 Dog, 50
Wiyil, 106
W X
Waller's Gazelle, 80
Xerus ruttlus dabgalla, 115
Walo, 119, I2O, 121, 122, 123, 124,
141, 165, 166
Waraba, 41, 49
Y
Golleh, 49 Yaidado, 133
Wart Hog, 100 Yeyi, 50
Waterbuck, 74
Wenni, 3
Whera, 39 Zebra, Grevy's, 105
hi71
14 DAY USE
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NO.
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BIOLOGY

WITH EIGHTEEN COLLOTYPE PLATES

inhabitants, has been but slightly studied.

My endeavour throughout has been to state as concisely

Colonies for permitting me to reproduce in full the Ordinance

Trustees of the British Museum of Natural History for their

Regiment for the use of some of his notes.

12. H. albicauda. The White-Tailed Mungoose . . 28

C. famelicus. The Desert Fox .....

33. M. swaynei. Swayne's Dik-dik 70

5 UB-ORDERH YRA CO1DEA

57. D.sp? Dipodillus 122

59. A. imbellis. . . . 124

61. A. mullah. The Spinous Mouse . . . . . 128

A List of Somali Names for most of the Game Animals

Hints on Removing and Preparing Skins of Mammals .

Game Regulations of the Somaliland Protectorate . , 186

CLARKE'S GAZELLE . . . . ... . * ... .83

SMITH'S GREAT AFRICAN CRESTED RAT 133

DESCRIPTION. General colour greenish brown, imparted to the

HABITS. This monkey is quite common on the affluents of

DESCRIPTION. This hideous beast is of a uniform grey colour

threatening attitude. The hairs of the cheeks and parts of the

MEASUREMENTS of an old male in the flesh were :

Head and body .: . . ''.' . .

DISTRIBUTION. Found throughout Northern Somaliland in

HABITS. The rock baboon is always found in troops of fifty

they do not make any attempt at rescuing one of their number

DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this animal is grey, the

giving a general grey appearance, which is darker towards the

MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of adult male and female lemurs

DISTRIBUTION. The above specimens were killed at Odweina,

habits. It appears to spend the day in holes in trees, emerging

sighted me, started jumping towards me, when suddenly, taking a

about a quarter of an hour, but we never detected its whereabouts.

They probably live on insects in the dry weather, for at certain

DESCRIPTION. The general colour of the lion is tawny yellow.

MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of an adult male and female shot

Length (straight between two pegs $ ?

DISTRIBUTION. The lion used to be found all over Somaliland,

HABITS. Lions are almost entirely nocturnal in their habits.

lair, without either setting a light to it or partially surrounding it

up This occurred a few years ago while I was

shooting on the edge of the Nogal Valley. A very fine lion

so that I might the more easily follow him up the next

DESCRIPTION. The general or ground colour of tawny yellow

on the back and sides. Underneath, the colour fades to white.

MEASUREMENTS in the flesh of two females, one specimen from

Hill variety. Plain variety. Hill variety.

Length of head and body .

DISTRIBUTION. Leopards are plentiful throughout Somaliland.

HABITS. Nocturnal in its habits, it is rarely seen during the

finding safe retreats in the former. Its chief food consists of

reach of jackals and hyaenas. I have seen as many as three

DESCRIPTION. Never having seen this small leopard, which

ordinary African desert type, but conspicuously smaller than any

MEASUREMENTS of stretched skins of a male and female were

DISTRIBUTION. The pigmy leopard (of which up to date only

HABITS.Nothing is as yet known of the habits of this