764 MR. W. E. DE WTNTON ON [Nov. 15, 



for Helogale aikinsoni. I saw only one pack of them. They came 

 out of tbe rocky hills to hunt on the plains for locusts and beetles, 

 on which they "seem to live chiefly, judging by their droppings, 

 which were very plentiful on the rocks," {R. M. H.) 



It is interesting to receive further specimens of this very distinct 

 species, described by Mr. Oldfield Thomas (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 

 ser. 6, vol. xv. 1895, p. 531) from two individuals collected by 

 Mr. Gillett at Sunerdorler on the Webi Shebeli. The present 

 specimens are both more richly coloured on the back, the bands 

 being more clearly defined, while one of them has far more red 

 colouring, somewhat obliterating the dark bands. 



Mr. Harwood tells me that one evening, while kneeling down 

 setting traps, a number of these animals came along, evidently 

 making for the hills from the plains where they had been feeding 

 during the day. The noise made by them very much resembled 

 the cackling of a flock of Guinea-fowl, and on shooting one he 

 was surprised to find that instead of a bird he had killed a large 

 Mongoose. 



13. Helogale atkinsoni Thos. 



a. 2 . Hargeisa, 3500 ft., 14 November. 



/3, y. $ $ . Jifa IJri, 5000 ft., 22 January. 



" The first pack of these animals I saw near Hargeisa. They 

 were crossing the watercourse and looked like birds running, as 

 they had all their hairs on end. There were about fifteen in the pack 

 and they took refuge in a disused termites' mound. I set traps, 

 but was never able to catch any, as they did not seem to take any 

 bait. They are very curious little animals, and if not frightened 

 will sit up on the leaves of an aloe or rock and scold at one, giving 

 a curious shuck ! at the end of each scold. The Somalis call them 

 ' Shuck-shuck.' They seem to live on locusts and other insects, 

 judging by their droppings. One evening I met a pack on their 

 way home from the plains ; they ran at first into a solitary heap of 

 stones, but kept running out and scolding, though I was only about 

 ten yards from them. There were several Hy raxes on the same 

 heap of stones, which did not take any notice of them. They 

 seem to have very good sight, and keep a sharp look-out for birds 

 of pi'ey, running to cover as soon as one appears. I had the good 

 fortune to capture a young Helogale. He had lost his mother and 

 was squeaking like a young bird. He w as no larger than a mouse, 

 and yet very tame, and made a delightful pet. His curiosity was 

 insatiable, as he would try and get into everything, and pull every- 

 thing out of drawers and boxes. His note, when pleased, was like 

 the chirp of a bird and always sounded some distance away. 

 I brought him safely to England, but he was killed by a dog." 

 (R. M. H.) 



14. Htteka ceocuta Erxleb. 



" Common throughout SomalilaTid." {B. M. II.) 



