THE WHITE-TAILED MUNGOOSE 

 Herpestes albicauda, Thos. 



Somali name, Songur 



DESCRIPTION. This is the largest of the Somali mungooses. 

 The general body colour is grey ; the underhair may be white or 

 slaty grey; the long hairs are coarse and are banded black and 

 white except along the back, where they are wholly black, giving 

 the general body colour a darker appearance in that part. The 

 four extremities from the elbows and knees respectively are jet 

 black. The tail is of the general body colour except for its 

 terminal half, which is pure white. 



MEASUREMENTS. Of skins only : 

 (i) From Guban. 



Head and body . . , .21 in. 



Tail . . . 



(ii) From Golis Range. 



Head and body . . . , .. 24^ in. 



Tail . . . . . . . 17 



(with terminal hairs) . . . . 21 \ 



DENTITION. *. f, c. = \,pm. , m. f = 20. 



DISTRIBUTION. This mungoose is found both on Guban and 

 on the Golis Range ; the specimens from the latter locality are 

 usually larger and darker in colour. 



HABITS. It is seldom seen in the daytime, and seems to have 

 a preference for stony country. In other respects it resembles the 

 other members of its tribe in its habits. 



