SPECIES OBTAINED BY HELLER 489 



apparently abaiuloned weaver birds' nests. If frio:litene(l, one would 

 drop out of its nest to tlie jjround and run off ; but if Heller waited 

 quietly for ten niinutos tbe mouse would come back, climb up the twigs 

 of the bush, and re enter the nest. It never stayed away long, seeming 

 to need the nest for protection. 



l^cndromys insignis. Although belonging to the genus of tree mice, this large 

 Dendromys lives on the ground, seemingly builds no nest, and is most 

 often found in the runways of the Otomyn. 



Luplturo}tiyN aquilns (Harsh -furred Mouse). Common in Rift Valley, on the 

 top of the Aberdares, and in the Kenia forest. Go up to timber line^ 

 but are not found in the deep forest, save above the edges of the stream. 

 \'ery fond of brush. Do not go out on the grassy plains. Usually, but 

 not strictly, nocturnal ; and in the cold, foggy uplands, as on the 

 Aberdares, become diurnal. 



(Leggada) Mim gmlu.s- (Pigmy Harvest Mouse). As small as our smallest 

 harvest mouse. A grass mouse, usually entirely away from bushes and 

 trees. Usually taken in the runways of the larger species. Occasionally 

 come into tents. Nocturnal. Tound generally throughout Ka-t Africa, 

 but nowhere as abundant as many other species. 



Epiiiiys hindei (Masai Hush Rat) Trapped on the Kapiti and Atbi Plains. 

 About the size of the Southern wood rat of California ; almost the size 

 of the wood rat of the Eastern States. Is a ground-loving species, fond 

 of bushes ; in habits like the Mus pimya, but less widely distributed, and 

 entering houses less freely. 



Ephny.s peroniyscux Jlellrr fn.s.) (Africa!) \Vliite-footed Mouse). Externally 

 strikingly like our white-footed mouse. Found in thick forest, along the 

 ed'zes of the Rift \'alley and on Mount Kenia. Near our elephant camp 

 Heller failed to trap any white-footed mice in the open glades, even 

 when the glades were of small size, but caught them easily if the traps 

 were set only a few yards within the dense forest. Evidently very 

 abundant in the forest, but not venturing at all into the open Strictly 

 nocturnal. Dwell under logs and in decayed places around .stumps, and 

 the trunks of big trees. 



Epimys pariya (East African House Mouse) Common in H. E. A., coming 

 into the houses, and acting like a house mouse, but twice the size. 

 Frequently came into our camps, entering the tents, \e\-\ common on 

 the edges of the forest, and in brush country and long grass, and among 

 the shambas ; not in the deep forests, except along streams, and not in 

 the bare open plains. Nocturnal. Found in the runways of Otomys and 

 Arvicanthin. Does not seem to be a grass-feeding species, like Otomys ; 

 eats grain, beans, etc. 



Epimys nieventris ulcc (Athi Rock Mouse). On the .\thi Plains, in the Sotik, 

 around Naivasha, and in the Rift Valle}'. Body only slightly larger than 

 that of a house mouse, but tail at least a third longer than the head and 

 body together. Yellowish-brown above and whitish beneath. Never 

 found except among rocks ; we always found it where there were cliffs or 

 on stony koppies. Lives in crevices in the rocks and along the ledges of 

 the cliffs. Nocturnal. Caught in traps vvith nuts. 

 Zelotomys hildegardce (Broad-headed Bush .Mouse). Looks like a small-eared, 

 broad-headed house mouse. Rather common on Athi Plains, in same 

 localities witli Uganda mouse, but rarer, and seldom enters houses. 



Thaninomys surdaster po/iouop.s (Long-tailed Tree Moused. Arboreal ; more 

 like a mouse than a rat. On the Athi Plains, in the Sotik and Rift 

 Valley. Not found in heavy forest, but in the open acacia woods and in 

 bushy country. Apparently lives much of the time on the ground, and 

 builds no nests in the trees, but runs up and down them and among their 

 branches freely. Nocturnal. 



