1904.] Allen, Mammals from Santa Afar/a, Colombia. 45! 



Cam's aquilus is scarcely distinguishable externally from 

 Venezuela specimens of C. cancrivorus (see antea, p. 343). 

 The skull, however, is shorter and broader, with relatively 

 heavier dentition; the facial portion of the skull is very 

 much broader than in C. cancrivorus. In this species, as 

 in other numbers of the American Canidae, except Urocyon, 

 the position of the temporal ridges varies with the age of 

 the animal ; in young adults they are slightly developed, 

 and run about midway down the parietal convexity of the 

 skull, as in other species of Canis ; with increase of age 

 they become stronger and move inward, in very old speci- 

 mens uniting, as usual, at least posteriorly, to form a more 

 or less distinct sagittal crest, an entirely different position 

 and mode of development from the supraorbital ridges in 

 Urocyon. 



Two specimens received recently from Merida, Venezuela, 

 appear also to be distinctly referable to C. aquilus. 



"WILD DOG (called soro, but this name is used for various 

 other small carnivora, sometimes soro perro, dog-soro). 

 Moderately common below 3000 feet, and may range above 

 that ; but it seems to belong properly in the dry-forest region. 

 It is exclusively terrestrial, at most walking on logs or rocks, 

 like a dog; it preys on small rodents, lizards, etc., and perhaps 

 Crustacea, and eats many fruits. I could learn little of its 

 habits, but apparently it makes its home in natural crevices 

 of the rocks or in hollow trees. The animal has a strong and 

 sickening odor, so that skinning it is a most unpleasant job. 

 It is very uncleanly; the pelage is commonly so soiled and 

 matted that it can only be cleaned with great difficulty. The 

 wild dog is diurnal, but also wanders at night, at least when it 

 is not very dark." H. H. S. 



45. Conepatus mapurito (Gmeliri). Two specimens, 

 Bonda and Playa Brava, January and September. 



" SKUNK. Common in the dry forest, and found occasion- 

 ally in the mountains to 4500 feet or higher. They live in 

 natural crevices, stumps, etc., and appear to prey on small 

 mammalia, birds and lizards; but the hunters avoid them 

 and really know little about their habits." - H. H. S. 



