612 On Two new Mongooses from Somaliland. 



LXXV. — Two new Mongooses from Somaliland. 

 By R. E. Drake-Brockman, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., F.Z.S. 



Helogale hirtula annulata, subsp, n. 



This subspecies somewliat resembles H. hirtula in general 

 characters, but may readily be distinguished from it by 

 the darker grizzling on its head and face and the suffusion 

 of reddish fawn on back. 



Underneath it more closely resembles H. hirtula lutescens. 

 Unfortunately the type of the latter is a young adult, so it 

 is difficult to compare the two satisfactorily ; but when com- 

 paring the whole hirtula group this subspecies is seen to 

 stand out, owing to the fact that it is not only darker but 

 the basal part of the fur is dark brown or even black. 



In the Annals & Mag. of Nat. Hist. ser. 8, vol. viii., 

 Thomas mentions this specimen and regards it as a fully 

 adult specimen of H. hirtula lutescens, but owing to the 

 characteristics above mentioned and the fact that it is a far 

 cry from Lake Rudolf to Afgo on the Webi Shebeleh, I am 

 of opinion that it is entitled to a distinct name. 



The measurements of the type (in the flesh) : — 



Head and body 243 mm. ; tail 185 mm. ; hind foot 45 mm. ; 

 ear 15 mm. 



Skull (somewhat damaged) : posterior end of interparietal 

 suture to gnathion 53 5 mm.; zygomatic breadth 29 mm. ; 

 interorbital breadth 11*5 mm. ; palatal length 2Q mm. ; front 

 of canine to back of ni^ 18 mm. 



Hab. Afgo, Webi Shebeleh, near Mogadishu, Italian 

 Somaliland. 



Tiipe. Mu\i male. B.M. no. 11.8.2.11. Original 

 number 358. Collected 26th January, 1910, by myself and 

 presented to the British Museum. 



When shot this animal was alone, a very unusual co- 

 incidence, as the members of this genus I have always seen 

 in small packs. 



Helogale hirtula powelli, subsp. n. 



This subspecies is like the typical " hirtula " obtained by 

 Dunn in Central Somaliland, but the general appearance is 

 very much lighter. The colouring of the throat and belly 

 is very similar, but the underfur and the basal parts of the 

 long hairs of the back have a much more reddish coloration. 

 The backs of the hands and feet are also much paler and 



