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 Bulbar, 



Head and body ...... 230 mm. 



Tail . . . . . . . . 170 „ 



Hindfoot ....... 37 „ 



Ear . . . . . . . . 17 „ 



Distribution. — Found among the Golis foothills and in the 

 hilly country between Bulbar 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 cJiic-chiirr-rr, and they 

 keep this up incessantly from among the bushes until the intruder 

 takes his departure. 



32 



