18 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL, MUSEUM YOU 73 



ATILAX PALUDINOSU9 RUBESCENS (HoUister) 



WATER MUNGOOSE 



Originally caught by Mr. Runton and his boys at Mbulu, this mun- 

 goose arrived with a great reputation for ferocity, which his attitude 

 justified. After about three and a half months' captivity, having 

 discovered that the function of mankind was to feed him, he became 

 tolerant and learned to drink out of a saucer without interfering with 

 the fingers at the other end. His appetite was enormous ; occasionally 

 he overstepped even its limits and was then disgustingly sick. This 

 happened three times in three months and a day's starvation with 

 plenty of water was all that he requii"ed to enable him to recover the 

 health of which his sleek and glossy coat bore witness. He would 

 reach into a wire rat trap, scoop out the occupant, and crush its skull 

 in a matter of seconds. An animal which I believe was a water mun- 

 goose was sighted by Mr. Haweis and myself near the swamp at 

 Nzingi. 



ICHNEUMIA ALBICAUDA IBEANA (Thomas) 



EAST AFRICAN WHITE-TAILED MUNGOOSE 



Native names. — Nghungangombe (Chigogo); Chonjwe (Kiswahili). 



A half-grown specimen brought in during May would only eat raw 

 meat and drink milk; of the latter he was exceedingly fond, drinking 

 nearly half a pint daily, but milk puddings or rice he ignored. 



When a hand was put into his cage he gave vent to a long drawn- 

 out screech which terminated with a dab or snap at the offending hand. 

 Protected by a glove, I daily rubbed his ears or stroked his head; 

 nevertheless be would maintain his outrageous screech the whole 

 time. 



An adult female, also taken near Dodoma, measured 500. 500. 120. 

 30 mm. 



HELOGALE UNDULATA UNDULATA (Peters) 

 lESSER MUNGOOSE 



Native name. — Sala (Chigogo). 



Only two specimens came to hand, one at Dodoma and the other 

 at Kondoa Irangi. They were fed on milk, minced meat, and occa- 

 sionally eggs, a diet which appeared to suit them perfectly. They 

 were quiet little animals, retiring to a corner of their cage and chir- 

 ruping when food was being put in or during cleaning operations. 



MUNGOS MUNGO COLONUS vHelier) 



BANDED MUNGOOSE 



Native names. — Nghalasanga (Chigogo); Ngutchiro (Kiswahili). 

 Seen at Nzingi; very abundant at Mukwese and Saranda. 



