May 1897. East African Collection of Mammals —Elliot. 153 



cially rare, but more on account of its retiring habits, which 

 caused it to seek concealment under some thick bushes, or amid 

 a dense clump of aloes. When startled from somfe such place of 

 refuge it would run with amazing speed to a similar harbor and 

 at once disappear from sight. I saw it several times when thus 

 going from one hiding place to another, and it appeared to me 

 that it ran rather than jumped, though its motions were so quickly 

 performed that it was difficult to determine exactly the precise 

 method of progression, especially as I was generally looking 

 down upon the animal from the back of my horse. As it ran it 

 had a peculiar appearance with the long nose projecting in front 

 of the head, and the long tail standing rather stiffly behind. The 

 single specimen obtained was killed by one of my men with a 

 stick as it was endeavoring to hide under a bush. 



FAM. ERINACEID^. 



Erinaceus diadematus (Fitzin). 



Erinaceus diadematus. Hedge Hog. 



a.-b. $ ad. Berbera. 



Two examples of this species were captured alive on the Mari- 

 time Plain one night, as they were seen rambling over the sand 

 in the moonlight. Like all the members of the genus, they offer 

 no resistance, but immediately rolled themselves into a ball, only 

 attempting, by a sudden muscular movement, to drive the spines 

 into the hand of anyone who touched them. When released, 

 after bringing them to the house, they soon began to walk about 

 and examine everything within reach, only assuming the ball 

 shape when handled. They were not uncommon in the Maritime 

 Plain, but as they appeared at night it was only by chance 

 that one was encountered. We did not succeed in procuring 

 more than these two individuals during our journey. 



Erinaceus albiventris (Wagner). 



Erinaceus albiventris. White-bellied Hedge Hog. 



$ ad. Toyo Plain. 



We only met with this species once, on our return journey 

 across Toyo Plain. It was found by a native and brought into 

 camp. It is a rather nice looking animal with its light-colored 

 spines and white under-parts, and is peculiar for the entire 

 absence of the hallux. I imagine its range is restricted to the 

 south of the Golis. 



