ATKINSON'S MUNGOOSE 

 Helogale atkinsoni, Thos. 



Somali name, Shug-shug 



DESCRIPTION. The general colour of this mungoose is grizzled 

 grey above and rufous below. The fur is somewhat long, coarse, 

 and shaggy. Tail similar to general body colour. 



MEASUREMENTS of a male specimen shot at Horo, about 50 

 miles south-west of Bulhar. 



Head and body . . . \ . . 230 mm. 



Tail . . ... . . 170 



Hindfoot . . . . . . 37 



Ear . . . , . 17 



DISTRIBUTION. Found among the Golis foothills and in the 

 hilly country between Bulhar and Hargeisa. Major Dunn 

 obtained a specimen in the Ogaden country. 



HABITS. I have always seen it in company with several 

 others ; on one occasion there were at least twenty together this 

 was in the Sansieviera bush country. On being surprised they 

 make a peculiar grating noise resembling chic-churr-rr> and they 

 keep this up incessantly from among the bushes until the intruder 

 takes his departure. 



