THE RED MUNGOOSE 

 Herpestes ochraceus perfulvidus, Thos. 



Somali name, Soro-iir 



Description. — This is the most beautiful of the Somali mun- 

 gooses. The general body colour is bright 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 : 



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 N. ochraceus. 



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