458 LAGOMYIDJ5. 



The specimens described as L. auritus were procured by Dr. 

 Stoliczka at Lukong on the Pangong Lake, Ladak. 



Habits. According to Scully, this species frequents open stony 

 ground near the snow-line. It is very locally distributed, but abun- 

 dant where found. 



An allied but distinct form L. griseus is found on the Kuenlun 

 range, in the Sanju pass, south of Yarkand. It so closely resem- 

 bles L. rutilus in winter fur, as figured by Buchner, that the two 

 are probably identical. L. rutilus inhabits parts of Turkestan and 

 Northern Tibet. Two other species from N. Tibet, L. erythrotis 

 and L. melanostoma, have just been described by Buchner. 



330. Lagomys mfescens. The Afghan Mouse-Hare. 



Lagomys rufescens, Gray, A. M. N. H. x, p. 266 (1842) ; Hutton, 

 J. A. S. B. xv, p. 140 ; Blyth, Cat. p. 133 ; Blanf. Eastern Persia, 

 ii, p. 83, pi. vi, fig. 2 ; Wood-Mason, P. A. S. B. 1880, p. 173 ; 

 "-"y, J. A. S. B. Ivi, pt. 2, p. 75. 



Ears moderate. Toe-pads exposed. Fur short. Incisive fora- 

 men pyrifonn. 



Colour above light rufescent brown to pale brownish rufescent, 

 below sullied white. Fur leaden black for more than half the 

 length, then brownish white, the points on the back black. A 

 broad whitish collar round the back of the neck, succeeded behind by 

 a dull rufous collar, sometimes sharply limited behind but generally 

 passing gradually into the colour of the back. The rufous collar 

 terminates on each side in a well-marked rufous patch in front of 

 each shoulder. The pale colour is less distinct in the long winter 

 fur and the rufous collar is not seen. Soles of feet whitish. 



Dimensions. Head and body of a large male 7'5 inches, ear from 

 meatus 0-8, hind foot from heel to end of claws 1-3 ; total length of 

 skull 1*9, zygomatic breadth 0-9. Females are a little smaller. 



Distribution. Found abundantly on the Bolan pass and the 

 mountains around Quetta and thence northwards in many parts 

 of Afghanistan. This Lagomys is also found in Afghan Turkestan, 

 and near Isfahan in Persia. It appears not to occur at less than 

 5000 or 6000 feet above the sea. 



Habits. Like most other species of the genus L. rufescens haunts 

 rocky places in communities, dwelling in burrows and fissures and 

 coming out to feed in the morning and evening. It is said to be 

 easily tamed. 



331. Lagomys ladacensis. Stoliczka'g Mouse-Hare. 



Lagomys curzonise, Stoliczka, J. A. S. B. xxxiv, pt. 2, p. 108 ; An- 

 derson, P. Z. S. 1871, p. 562, nee Hodt/son. 



Lagomys ladacensis, Gilnther, A. M. N. H. (4) xvi, p. 231 (1875) ; 

 Blanf ord, J. A. S. B. xliv, p. 110; id. Yark. Miss., Mam. p. 71, 

 pis. vi, vii, vii a. 



Zabra, Karin or Phise Karin, Ladak. 



