APPENDIX B 541 



{Leggada) Mus grains (Pygmy Harvest Mouse). As small as our smallest harvest 

 mouse. A grass mouse, usually entirely away from bushes and trees. Usually 

 taken in the runways of the larger species. Occasionally come into tents. Noc- 

 turnal. Found generally throughout East Africa, but nowhere as abundant as 

 many other species. 



Epimys hindei (Masai Bush Rat). Trapped on the Kapiti and Athi Plains. About 

 the size of the Southern wood rat of California; almost the size of the wood rat 

 of the Eastern States. Is a ground-loving species, fond of bushes; in habits like 

 the Mus panya; but less widely distributed, and entering houses less freely. 



Epimys peromyscus Heller (n. s.) African White-footed Mouse. Externally strik- 

 ingly like our white-footed mouse. Found in thick forest, along the edges of 

 the Rift Valley and on Mount Kenia. Near our elephant camp Heller failed 

 to trap any white-footed mice in the open glades, even when the glades were 

 of small size, but caught them easily if the traps were set only a few yards 

 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 

 ink. 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 nice (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. 



Zelotomys hildegardce (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 (Long-tailed 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 tin- 

 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. 



(Enomys 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 shorter, much less conspicuous 

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

 stream beds. Nocturnal. 



