On ttvo new Species of Lepus. 275 



darwini, Gould; aud as he has three years prioiity over 

 Gould, his name must be accepted. 



The species, with their type localities, will iu future be 

 known as : — 



Rhea americana (Linn.)^ Syst. Nat. i. p. 155, 1758. (Ser- 



gipe, East Brazil — ex Marcgrave.) 

 Rhea rothschildi, Brabourne and Chubb. (Argentina.) 

 Rhea pennata, d^Orb. (Patagonia.) 



XXXVr. — Two new Species o/Lepus. 

 By R. E. Deake-Beockman, M.H.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. 



Lepus cn'sjfii, sp. n. 



This species is remarkable for its diminutive size and 

 general pale coloration. Although the fur of both specimens 

 obtained appears to be bleached, the pale colour and small 

 size render it quite distinct. 



In its bleached state the fur oL" this species differs markedly 

 from the bleached fur found in L. sonialensis. The fur is 

 pale grey at the base, then pale buff followed by a distinct 

 light brown band, while the terminal part of the hairs is 

 creamy white, rendering the animal almost indistinguishable 

 from the sand in the region where it lives. 



The back of the neck is of a pinkish buff, while the whole 

 of the fur on the underparts, with the exception of a narrow 

 longitudinal band of white, is pale buff. The fur on the legs 

 is very similar to that on the back. 



The head is of the general body-colour, but it will be seen 

 that where the new fur is appearing the hairs are tipped vvitii 

 black, which soon fades to a dark brown aud then rapidly 

 gets bleached. 



The chin is white, there is a distinct light-coloured area 

 round the eyes, the whiskers are black tipped with wiiite, 

 and the ears long, scantily covered with hair and edged with 

 a creamy buff, except at the tip of the ear, where it is brown. 

 I have taken as the type specimen my number 354, a male 

 shot near Obbia, Italian Somalilaud, on December 23rd, 1910. 

 The measurements, in the flesh, of this specimen were as 

 follows : — 



mm. 



Head and body , . , . 375 



Tail , 100 



Hind foot 93 



Ear 100 



Weight lA lbs, 



la* 



