MAMMAL sun VET OF INDIA. 501 



not recognized as being distinct by the natives. I have not noticed lijerdoni 

 has the same habit as niger of living in the roofs of houses. Both species 

 are largely arboreal and may frequently be observed in trees on moonlight 

 nights."— G. C. S. 



MuNGOS MUNGO, Gmel. 



The common Indian Mungoose. 



(Synonymy in No. 1.) 



2 $ 2 . Wotekolli, S. Coorg. 



6 c? d, 7 2 $ . Virajpet, S. Coorg. 



1 $ . Srinmangala, S. Coorg. 



2 c? c? ; 3 $ $ . Haleri, N. Coorg. 



{See also Reports Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10.) 

 "Extremely plentiful in Coorg. Very often seen by day." — G. C. S, 

 Vernacular name: — Keka hou-kera. 



MuNGOS yiTTicoLLis, Benn. 

 The stripe-necked Mungoose. 



1835. Herpestes vitticoUis, Bennett, P. Z. S., p. 67. 



1839. Mangusta vitticoUis, Elliot, Mad. Journ. L. S. X., p. 103. 



1888. Herpestes vitticoUis, Blanford, Mammalia No. 64. 



1 c? 1 $ . Wotekolli, S. Coorg. 



1 c? • Srimangala, S. Coorg. 



1 (S • Nagarhole, S. Coorg. 



1 c? 2 $ § . Haleri, N. Coorg. 



A large handsome mungoose, brown with yellow red speckles ; head iron 

 grey ; lower part of the back and tail with long chestnut hairs ; a black 

 stripe on each side of the neck ; limbs and end of the tail black. Head 

 and body about 20 inches, tail 13 inches ; weight about 7f lbs. 



" Not uncommon, although very much less plentiful and more local than 

 Mungos mungo. Unlike most of the small South Indian Carnivora, vitticoUis 

 seems to be less plentiful in the neighbourhood of habitations, and is pro- 

 bably a typically forest form that has not learnt to become parasitic on 

 village poultry and house rats. Like the common mongoose this species 

 hunts a lot by day, one specimen having been shot while crossing a jungle 

 track at midday. 



Although recorded from North Kanara by Elliot, vitticoUis is probably a 

 rare straggler as far North as that district. In life the shape of the head 

 differs from that of mungo, the snout having a slight upward curve, rather 

 like that of a Coati niundi. This is very accurately shown in Blanford's 

 sketch of Mungos urva, which is probably similar in appearance. 



Sack-like depression beneath tail, very large and conspicuous in vitticoUis, 

 not so well developed in /mscms, and rudimentary in mungo." — G. C. S. 



Vernacular names : — Quoki-balu, kati-kera. 



Mungos fuscus, "Waterh. 



The Nilgiri broum Mungoose. 



1838. Herpestes fuscus, Waterhouse, P. Z. S., p. 55. 

 1888. Herpestes fuscus . Blanford, Mammalia No. 62. 



2 J d" 1 2 . Virajpet, S. Coorg. 



A brown mungoose speckled black and yellow throughout ; paws almost 

 black. Head and body about 19 inches, tail about 12 inches, weight of a 

 male 6 lbs. 



