Frick: New Abyssinian Rodents. 25 



to subterminal rings of light ochraceous to ochraceous-buff ; hair of 

 rump 1 1.5-20 mm. in length; under parts gray with three indistinct 

 longitudinal buffy lines, i. e., two lateral, bordering dark coloration 

 of the sides and a single median line; outer covering of arms and legs 

 continuous with ochraceous tawny flanks and shoulders; throat and 

 undersides of arms and legs sparsely covered with hair; ocular rings, 

 sides of snout, scant short covering of ears, and anterior basal tuft 

 ochraceous-buff; lower side of tail ochraceous buff, upper side black* 

 hair of rump at base ochraceous bufif; anal region of the same color 

 mixed with white; feet ochraceous bufif with toes tending to become 

 dark through wear; claws brown with horny tips. 



The author's collection contains twenty-three specimens of difTerent 

 ages taken March 27-April 25, 191 2, in the vicinity of Gato Camp, 

 Gardula, and one specimen from South Abai Lake, taken March 19 

 (No. 7548 9 ), which differs from the rest of the series in the length 

 of the pes, the maximum length of the pes in the series being 28.5 mm., 

 as against 30 mm. in No. 7548, but the coloration and characters of 

 the skull indicate that it belongs to the same species. 



Individuals show considerable variation in color:^^ 



1. In the distinctness of the demarcation between the sides and 

 under parts; 



2. In the tone of the under surface, which runs from white, either 

 lightly or strongly washed with buff, to dark mouse-gray; and 



3. In dorsal shading, which is partly due to age, i. e., specimens with 

 unworn to slightly worn molars average darkest and more olivescent 

 than rufescent. 



The size (by measurement of skulls and dried skins) is not dependent 

 upon age, i. e., the molars of two of six specimens (including the type) 

 measuring in length of head and body 150 mm. and over, together 

 with those of nine specimens averaging 135 mm. in length, show 

 scarcely any wear, while the molars of one specimen of ten measuring 

 under 125 mm. are well worn (No. 40). 



Average length of tail 105 mm.; tail of type and Nos. 51 and 41 

 longest, 130 mm.; latter short-bodied and only specimen with tail 

 exceeding combined length of head and body. 



The species is named after its collector, Dr. Rafferty. 



21 Upper pelage of No. 61 9 in writer's collection is identical in color with a 

 specimen of nubilans Wroughton in the U. S. National Museum, No. 183050, but 

 A. nubilans as a series runs lighter and the tails average less than in the new sub- 

 species. 



