MAMMAL SURVEY OF INDIA. 693 



Z S S • Lunwa, Palanpur. 



7 d d ; 3 $ $ . Mount Abu, Kajputana, 



2 2 5 . Danta, Mahi Kantha, Gujerat. 

 A lighter coloured mungoose than the Southern common mungoose ; white 

 with brown speckles, pale drab on the underside. Head and body about 

 15 inches, tail about the same length. Weight SJ lbs. 



" Mungoose not common at Palanpur ; in Cutch I saw at least ten to 

 every one observed here. Not found in the immediate vicinity of Deesa, 

 where M. auropunctatus helvus takes its place. Very plentiful at Mount Abu; 

 I observed many in the village and in the forest. I saw some half dozen 

 or so at Danta." — 0. A. C. 



MUNGOS AUKOPUNCTATUS HBLVTIS, Ryl. 



The small Yelloio Mungoose. 



1914. Mungos auropunctatus helvus, Ryley. Journ., B. N. H. S., Vol. XXII, 

 p. 661. 



5 cJ d" ; 4 5 2 . Deesa, Palanpur. 



A small yellow mungoose, minutely speckled with brown ; pale yellow 

 feet (which distinguishes it from M. auropunctatus) ; pale drab on the 

 underside. Head and body about 12 inches. Weight about 17 ozs. 



" Breeds and sleeps in a hole (undoubtedly dug by itself) in the ground 

 and is diurnal, otherwise differing a good deal in habits from M. mungo. 

 It can be bold but generally is rather cautious, keeping near to cover. Its 

 presence may at once be detected by a well-worn tract running the entire 

 length of a hedge. When danger threatens, this mungoose immediately 

 takes cover, and if the hedge is sufficiently dense, it lies up and may be 

 approached to within a few feet, if then conscious of detection it dodges 

 about in the hedge making very little attempt to place distance between 

 itself and pursuer, and is with great difficulty induced to leave the hedge. 

 In contrast to this, M. mungo invariably takes the nearest cut to its hole 

 in tree or ground." — C. A. C. 



MuNGOS SMiTHi, Gray. 

 The ruddy Mungoose. 

 (Synonymy in No. 7.) 

 3 S (5 ; 1 2. Mount Abu, Kajputana. 

 (pee also Report No. 7.) 

 A grey-brown mungoose speckled with white, giving an iron grey 

 appearance, feet almost black, head and legs shaded with reddish brown. 

 Easily distinguished from the ordinary mungoose by having a black tip to 

 its tail. Head and body about 18 inches ; tail about 16 inches. Weight 

 about 4 lbs. 



" This species is generally found in thick forest, and owing to its retiring 

 habits is more common than is supposed. Apart from my four specimens 

 which were trapped, I saw only two individuals, one of which disappeared 

 between some rocks as I fired. 



Reported to occur at Danta, which is probably correct." — 0. A. 0, 



VivEBRicuLA aiALAOCENSis, Gmel. 

 The small Indian Civet. 

 (Synonymy in No. 3.) 



