274 



LLOYD S NATURAL HISTORY. 



This species, which, we believe, is still known only by an im- 

 perfect adult specimen and a second immature example, has a 

 marked general resemblance to the under-mentioned C. fascia- 

 tus ; and Mr. Thomas remarks that it "is very interesting as 

 showing what a comparatively unimportant character is the 

 presence of cross-bands on the back. Its coloration is ex- 

 tremely similar to that of C. fasciatus ; yet by a simple dis- 

 arrangement of the hairs of the back all the broad distinct 

 cross-bands vanish, and the back only presents a coarse 

 grizzled rufous-grey colour." 



III. NARROW-BANDED CUSIMANSE. CR0SSARCIIUS ZEHRA. 



Herpestes zebra, Ruppell, NeueWirbelth. Abyss, p. 30 (1835). 

 Herpestes goth?ieh, Fitzinger and Heuglin, S.B. Ak. Wien, vol. 



liv. pt. i. p. 560 (1866). 

 Herpestes leucostethicus, Fitzinger and Heuglin, op. at. p. 561. 

 Crossarchus zebra, Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1882, p. 89. 



Characters. — Size rather smaller and form more slender than 

 in the last ; tail half as long as the head and body. General 

 colour grizzled grey, with dark narrow cross bands on the 

 hinder half of the back, five or more dark and light bands going 

 to an inch. Longer hairs marked with very short black, and 

 pale yellow or white, rings ; under-fur dirty yellowish-grey ; 

 chin, chest, and under-parts more or less bright rufous, a well- 

 defined line along the side of the neck demarcating this tint 

 from the grey above. Generally a white line of variable width 

 down the middle of the under surface of the body. Feet and 

 tail darkening towards their extremities, the tip of the latter 

 being frequently black. Length of head and body, 13 to 13^ 

 inches; of tail, 6*4 to 7 inches. 



Distribution. — Abyssinia. 



Habits. — In common with the other members of the genus, 

 this Mungoose is a burrowing animal, and is frequently seen 



