THE DIKDIKS 629 



hock to the hoof of only 6yi inches. The northern race 

 minor of the desert interior regions is scarcely of larger size, 

 but kirki is much darker. In color it resembles the highland 

 races hindei and cavendishi, but is somewhat less rufous, 

 being more vinaceous on the sides. 



Northern Kirk Dikdik 



Rhynchotragus kirki minor 



Rhynchotragus kirki minor Lonnberg, 191 2, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., vol. 

 IX, p. 65. 



Range. — Watershed of the Northern Guaso Nyiro River 

 northward to Mount Marsabit and eastward as far, at least, 

 as the Lorian swamp, no doubt extending within a few 

 miles of the coast, where it intergrades with the typical 

 kirki. 



This light-colored desert race was described by Lonn- 

 berg from specimens which he collected near Chanler Falls 

 in the lower Northern Guaso Nyiro River. It may be dis- 

 tinguished from the other races by its lighter color and 

 smaller size. The body color is buffy-drab, and the legs 

 and head are buffy-ochraceous. The color of the lower sides 

 bordering the white under-parts is buffy, and shows very 

 little contrast to the white. The measurements of adults in 

 the flesh are: length of head and body, male, 233^ inches, 

 female, 24^^ inches; tail, i}^ inches; hind foot, male, y^ 

 inches, female, 8 inches; ear, 2^ inches. Greatest length oif 

 skull: male, 4.}i inches, female, 4.}4 inches; length of narial 

 chamber, male, i}4 inches, female, i^^^ inches. The longest- 

 horned male in a series of six adults has horns 2^ inches, 

 measured in a straight line, with a spread at the tips of 2)4 

 inches. 



A large series have been examined in the National 

 Museum from the Northern Guaso Nyiro River and its 

 junction with the Lakiundu and from watering-places on 

 the Marsabit Road at Merille, Longaya, and Koya. The 

 race is confined to the lower desert levels to altitudes below 

 two thousand five hundred feet and is unknown on the 

 summits of the desert mountains. 



