478 APPENDIX B 



within the dense forest. Evidently very abundant in the forest, but not ventur- 

 ing at all into the open. Strictly nocturnal. Dwell under logs and in decayed 

 places around stumps, and the trunks of big trees. 



Epimys panya (East African House Mouse). Common in B. E. A., coming into 

 the houses, and acting like a house mouse, but twice the size. Frequently came 

 into our camps, entering the tents. Very common on the edges of the forest 

 and in brush country and long grass, and among the shambas; not in the deep 

 forests, except along streams, and not in the bare open plains. Nocturnal. 

 Found in the runways of Otomys and Arvicanthis. Does not seem to be a 

 grass-feeding species, like Otomys; eats grain, beans, etc. 



Epimys nieventris ulae (Athi Rock Mouse). On the Athi Plains, in the Sotik, around 

 Naivasha, and in the Rift Valley. Body only slightly larger than that of a 

 house mouse, but tail at least a third longer than the head and body together. 

 Yellowish-brown above and whitish beneath. Never found except among 

 rocks; we always found it where there were cliffs or on stony koppies. Lives 

 in crevices in the rocks and along the ledges of the cliffs. Nocturnal. Caught 

 in traps with nuts. 



Zelolomys hildegarda (Broad-headed Bush Mouse). Looks like a small-eared, 

 broad-headed house mouse. Rather common on Athi Plains, in same localities 

 with Uganda mouse, but rarer, and seldom enters houses. 



Thamnomys surdaster polionops (Longtailed Tree Mouse). Arboreal; more like a 

 mouse than a rat. On the Athi Plains, in the Sotik and Rift Valley. Not 

 found in heavy forest, but in the open acacia woods and in bushy country. 

 Apparently lives much of the time on the ground, and builds no nests in the 

 trees, but runs up and down them and among their branches freely. Nocturnal. 



Thamnomys Loringi Heller (n. s.) (Masked Tree Rat). In the Rift Valley; common 

 around Naivasha. Has a black ring around each eye, the color spreading over 

 the nose like a mask. Arboreal and nocturnal. Much the habits of our neo- 

 toma, but do not build large nests. Build nests about six inches in diameter, 

 made of sticks, placed in the branches of the thorn-trees; also in burrows near 

 the bottom of the trunks; runways lead from the trees containing the nests 

 to the burrows. Trapped on the ground and in traps set in notches of the trees. 



Oenomys hypoxanthus bacchante (Rusty-nosed Rat). Found in same country as 

 above, and with^similar habits, but somewhat less arboreal. A handsome species. 



Dasymus helukus Heller (n. s.) (Swamp Rat). In appearance much like the Alex- 

 andrian or roof rat, but with longer hair and snorter, much less conspicuous 

 ears. Found all over the Athi Plains where there was brush, especially along 

 stream beds. Nocturnal. 



Arvicanthis abyssinicus nairobce (Athi Grass Rat). The commonest mouse in B. 

 E. A. on the plains. Outnumbers any other species. Found everywhere in 

 grass and brush, but not in deep forest. Often lives in shallow burrows round 

 the bases of thorn-trees, from which its well-marked runways radiate into the 

 grass. Strictly diurnal. Often seen running about in bright sunlight. Never 

 found in traps at night. A striped mouse that has lost its stripes, vestiges of 

 which are occasionally found in the young. 



Arvicanthis pulchettus masaicus (Nairobi Striped Mouse). Diurnal. Common on 

 the Athi Plains and on the Sotik and in Rift Valley. Around Neri we often saw 

 them running about through the shambas. Live in brush and cultivated fields. 

 In pattern of coloration much like our thirteen -striped gopher. 



