Mammals from South Africa, 459 



(17) Otomys irroralus cupreu.s Wrought. 



Tzaneen, Zoutpaiisberg District, Transvaal (near type- 

 locality). 



Series. 



The female of this species carries her young about attached 

 to her matniiiae, a habit that seems to be not uiiconiinoii 

 amouLj the smaller South-African rodents. 



(18) Dendromus melanotis (Smith). 



Tzaiioen. 

 S. 234. 



(19) Dendromus j'lmesoni Wrought. (Ann. & Mag. Nat. 

 Hist. (8) iii. 1909, p. 217). 



Tzaneen. 



Type ? . 135. (B.M. no. 9. 1. 20. 27.) 



(?. 152, 191; ?. 149, 171, 172, 240. 



Spirit c?. 256. 



This species may often be found in the deserted hanging 

 nests of weaver-birds both in the bush and in reed-beds and 

 '* Tambutie'' grass. 



(20) Steatomys pratensts Peters. 



Tzaneen. 



Series. 



This little mammal is generally found in a nest of gra^s 

 situated in a short burrow about 12 inchfS in length. The 

 entrance to the burrow is closed with earth. The natives 

 (Mashangaan) dig out the mice, which are always enor- 

 mously fat, as food. 



The habits of the fat-mouse in summer are not known. 



In captivity it is sluggish, coming out fur a short while at 

 night to feed, and accumulating large quantities of grain in 

 its nest, to be eaten at leisure. 



If a new example is introduced into a cage of Steatomys^ it 

 is at once killed and eaten. 



Specimens which 1 kept in my house at Jo(ianne>burg 

 showed no signs of a change of habits by tli^ middle of 

 November (when they were sent to Europe), but il is probable 

 that a careful study of this species, whicli tlirivoJin captivity, 

 would reveal a period of activity in the summer. 



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