COAST GERBILLE 

 Gerbillus 



Somali name, IVa/o 



Description. — Only one specimen of this gerbille has so far 

 been obtained, so it is impossible, until other specimens are 

 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 „ 



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. 



ri9 



