604 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



In comparison with A. I. lervia, the horns taper more suddenly 

 and are more divergent at the base; the tips are more distinctly 

 inclined backwards; pelage slightly more reddish; head with mix- 

 ture of brown and reddish hairs; chin black; a dark triangular spot 

 below the ears; beard mixed with tawny and brown, and widely 

 margined with dark brown ; a short dorsal mane extending from the 

 nape to the lumbar region, the tips of the hairs dark brown, 

 setting off the mane from the light color of the body (Lepri, 1930, 

 p. 270). 



The present form occurs in the Libyan hinterland, especially be- 

 tween Murzuk and Sokna, in the west central part of the country. 

 When introduced into Italy, it flourishes either in captivity or in 

 reserves. (Zammarano, 1930, pp. 25-26.) 



"I understand from Western Arabs that the great field for game 

 nowadays is in the 'Harush' [apparently in central Libya]. . . . 

 There considerable numbers of ... Barbary sheep exist." (Colonel 

 Green, in litt., March 13, 1933.) 



This animal is rare and of rather uncertain distribution in Libya. 

 Reduced rainfall is a cause of depletion. Hunting is allowed only 

 on permit from August 15 to October 14. Permits may be issued 

 no more than twice per year to a given person. (Ministry of Col- 

 onies, Rome, in litt., March 5, 1937.) 



Saharan Ami. Mouflon a Manchettes (Fr.). 

 Mahnenschaf (Ger.) 



AMMOTRAGUS LERVIA SAHARIENSIS (Rothschild) 



Ovis lervia sahariensis Rothschild, Novit. Zool., vol. 20, p. 459, 1913. . ("Oued 

 Mya" between El-Golea and In-Salah, southern Algeria (approx. lat. 29 N., 

 long. 3 E.).) 



This subspecies occurs rather widely in the west-central Sahara, 

 but in probably limited and decreasing numbers. 



"Horns strongly depressed, turning sharply down before bending 

 backwards. Uniform pale rufous sand-colour all over; a whitish 

 patch below and somewhat behind the ear, no trace of a median 

 facial stripe." (Rothschild, 1913a, p. 459.) 



Since the southern and western limits of sahariensis have not 

 been precisely determined, the animals of the Timbuktu region and 

 of Mauretania and Rio de Oro are only provisionally referred here. 



"The 'Barbary Sheep' . . . extends into the Sahara, at least as 

 far as A'in Guettara [lat. 28 N.], and, according to hearsay, even 

 to the Hoggar mountains. . . . We saw a very old male at Ain 

 Guettara . . . ; but we found many traces and droppings in the 

 little affluents and side-valleys of the Southern Oued Mya, and in 



