338 



SOME NEW INDIAN RODENTS 



BY 



H. C. Weoughton, F.Z.S. 

 (With a Plate.) 



In working out the specimens collected by the Society's Mammal 

 Survey I have found two animals Avhich are unnamed, ri:^. — a hare 

 from Khandesh and a most interesting long-tailed mouse, which I 

 can refer to no known Genus. Further in the course of com- 

 parison I have found, in the National Collection, series of 

 specimens closely related to the common Indian Field-Mouse (L. 

 ooduga) which require a name. This paper deals with the 

 descriptions of these three species. 



Lepus simcoxi, sp. n. 

 The Khandesh Hare. 



A hare about the size of nigricollis and ruficaudatus, distinguish- 

 able at sight by its smoke grey nape. 



General colour above pinkish buff, much mixed with black, 

 individual hairs of the middle back white at base ('lO mm.) 

 followed by a dusky ring (4 mm.), remainder (9-10 mm.) pinkish 

 buff with a short black tip ; below pure white ; on the lower back 

 all buffy colouring disappears and the hairs are greyish white with 

 black tips. Face coloured like the back, cheeks and chin and 

 commencement of throat pure white, lower throat dark buffy. 

 Ears drab. Limbs outwardly pinkish-buff. Nape grey. Tail 

 above blue-black with only the slightest buffy tinge, below pure 

 white. 



I can detect no important constant difference between the skulls 

 of nigricollis, ruficaudatus and the present species. The nasals in 

 the present species are narrow and equall}^ broad in their whole 

 length, but being laterally bent downwards, anteriorly, give the 

 idea of a sharp pointed muzzle. 



Dimensions of the tfpe (recorded by the Collector). — ^Head and 

 body 480 ; tail 89 ; hind foot 112 ; ear 105. Skull : greatest length 

 94 ; basal length 70 ; zygomatic breadth 40 ; greatest length of 



