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 

 DoUo — are : 



Head and body about 40 mm. 



Tail 30 „ 



Hindfoot 8*5 „ 



Two other specimens obtained by C. V. A. Peel at Aik 

 measured, as skins : 



Head and body . . . .52 mm. 52 mm. 



Tail 35 „ Z7 ,, 



Hindfoot 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. 



J69 



