NO. 5 MAMMALS OF PANAMA — GOLDMAN 1 47 



SYLVILAGUS GABBI MESSORIUS Goldman 



Panama Forest Rabbit 



[Plate 27, figs. 2, 2a] 



Sylvilagus gabbi mcssorius Goldman, Smiths. Misc. Coll., Vol. 60, No. 2, 

 pp. 13-14, September 20, 1912. Type from Cana, eastern Panama (alti- 

 tude 1,800 feet). 



In the mountains of eastern Panama, Sylvilagus gabbi gabbi which 

 ranges in western Panama and the Canal Zone is replaced by a closely 

 allied subspecies lacking the strongly rufescent suffusion of color 

 shown in the typical form, and with upperparts more obscured by 

 the long black tips of the longer hairs. Anthony (1916, p. 371) lists 

 specimens from Boca de Cupe, Tacarcuna, and Tapalisa and the 

 darker form doubtless occurs throughout the general region, includ- 

 ing adjacent Colombian territory. 



In connection with the operation of the Darien gold mines con- 

 siderable land on the small plateau near Cana has been cleared at 

 different times and planted to sugar-cane and other crops. In these 

 clearings, partly marshy and neglected for years, an exuberant 

 growth of coarse grasses, shrubs, and small trees now form nearly 

 impenetrable thickets in which the rabbits, as shown by their number, 

 find conditions much more favorable for existence than in the un- 

 broken forest. In places, well-trodden paths mark their general 

 routes through dense cover. During the dry season small areas are 

 sometimes burned over and the fresh new verdure springing up 

 affords an attractive food supply. The rabbits visit these open 

 spaces to feed at night and are easily shot, their eyes giving off 

 reddish reflections in the glare of a hunting lamp. In the field of 

 reflected light they sit motionless and if no noise is made one may 

 approach to within a few feet, before they take alarm and dash off 

 into the darkness. 



Specimens examined : Boca de Cupe, 3 1 ; Cana (type locality), 10; 

 Tacarcuna, 2 1 ; Tapalisa, 4. 1 



SYLVILAGUS GABBI INCITATUS (Bangs) 



San Miguel Island Rabbit 



Lepus (Tapeti) incitatus Bangs, Amer. Nat., Vol. 35, p. 633, August 22, 1901. 

 Type from San Miguel Island, Panama. 



Greater general dimensions combined with shorter ears and paler 

 color apparently distinguish this insular form from Sylvilagus gabbi 



1 Collection Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 



