PUTOEIUS. 171 



measurements, is not recorded. There is clearly a considerable 

 difference in size between the sexes. 



Distribution. This species has hitherto only been recorded from 

 Sikhim, where two specimens were obtained by Hodgson, probably 

 from a moderate elevation. Two more were procured by Mr. 

 Mandelli, and are in my possession. 



Nothing is known of the habits, which are doubtless similar to 

 those of other allied forms. The animal is considerably larger 

 than P. cathia, the teeth especially being of much greater size. 



Two other species of Putorius may hereafter have to be included 

 in the Indian fauna, though at the opposite extremities of the area. 

 The first of these is a weasel described by myself from Eastern 

 Turkestan under the name of Mustela stoliezkana (J. A. S. B. xlvi, 

 pt. 2, p. 260, and Sc. Results 2nd Yarkand Mission, Mam. p. 30, 

 pis. i a, ii 6). This is allied to the common weasel of Europe, but 

 is considerably larger and rather different in colour. The follow- 

 ing is a brief description, which may suffice for identification. 



P. stoliezkana. Colour pale sandy brown above, on the outside 

 of the limbs, and on the tail, white below. Eur short, dense, and 

 soft. Head and body of a male 9 inches, tail with hair 3, without 

 hair 2-3, tarsus and hind foot without claws 1'4; weight 5-2 oz. 

 Skull 1'75 inches long, 1 broad. 



There is a specimen from Afghanistan in the British Museum. 

 The other species is P. nudipes, E. Cuv. (Hist. Nat. Mamm. 

 pi. 149), found in the Malay Peninsula (Cantor, J. A. S. B. xv, 

 p. 194), Sumatra, and Borneo. Like so many other Malay species, 

 this may inhabit Southern Tenasserhn. A short description is 

 consequently added : 



P. nudipes. Tail bushy. Soles partly naked. Eur loose and 

 long, with but little underfur. Colour rusty red, the head above 

 and below white, tail-tip whitish. Head and body about 13 inches, 

 tail without hair 8, with hair 10| ; skull 2-25 inches long, 1'35 

 broad. It is said by Cantor to inhabit the densest jungle. 



P. astutus and P. moupinensis have been described by Prof. A. 

 Milne-Ed wards * from Moupin, Eastern Tibet, and P. davidianus 

 from the Chinese province of Kiangsi. None of these can be 

 satisfactorily identified with Himalayan forms. 



P. astutus is dark rufous-brown above, the tail the same colour 

 throughout ; breast white, with a yellow tinge. Upper surface of 

 fore feet white. Length of head and body nearly 10 inches, tail 

 41 skull 1-8. 



' P. moupinensis is rufous-brown, a little paler below, the face and 

 the tip of the tail darker; chin white or yellowish white. Head 

 and body 13J inches long, tail 9, skull 2-2. This approaches 

 P. subhemachalanus, but has a longer tail. 



P. davidianus is light rufous-brown above and below, the head 

 above darker ; no dark tip to the tail ; chin, upper lip, and sides of 



* ' Recberches,' i, pp. 343-348. 



