1907.] MAMMALS FROM BEIRA. 779 



"This species is decidedly rai-e on the Beira side of the 

 Pungwe and was only observed on two occasions, both times in 

 the same small stretch of forest. 



" Only four were observed altogether, three when the specimen 

 sent was secured and one on another occasion. 



" It was excessively wild, and in the thick forest difficult to 

 observe or shoot." 



15. Tatera lobengul^ de Wint. 



c?. 1697, 1699, 1783. $.1701,1707,1784. Beira. 



These specimens are of the long-tailed type characteristic of 

 Africa south of the Zambezi. Peters 's Meriones leucogaster, which 

 comes from the coast immediately north of the Zambezi, has a 

 short tail. It is interesting to note that the Beira form is 

 practically identical with that of Mashonaland, and totally 

 distinct from that from the very much nearer Quillimane District, 

 although the climatic conditions of the latter are practically the 

 same as those of Beir.i. 



" Native name, ' Banye.' 



" Not common, inhabiting principally clearings and native lands, 

 where in habits it is similar to its congenei'S in other parts of 

 South Africa." 



16. Pelomys fallax Pet. 



c?. 1693, 1776. Beira. 



c?. 1688. Masembeti. 



These specimens show clearly that the length of the tail in 

 proportion to the head and body varies considerably in this 

 species ; in all three cases, however, it is longer than the head and 

 body combined. Peters records a length considerably shorter 

 than the head and body and at the same time shorter than in any 

 of these individuals ; his figure, however, does not support the text, 

 for in it the tail is almost though not quite equal to the head and 

 body. In all other respects these specimens answer to the 

 description of P. fallax, the type locality of which was Boror. 



" Native name, ' Ibusi.' 



" Not common. In habits it exactly resembles Otomys irroratiis, 

 like that species inhabiting the vleis, the banks of rivers and 

 lakes and all damp places, also sometimes the long grass on the 

 outskirts of the forest. 



" No signs of nest or hole were, however, observed. 



" Strictly diurnal and a vegetarian." 



17. Arvicanthis dorsalis Sm. 



c?. 1700. $.1708,1721,1753. Beira. 

 " Native name, ' Ntanu.' 



" Fairly common both in the forest and in the open country. 

 " Exactly similar in habits to its congener in Inhambane and 

 elsewhere." 



Proc. Zool. Soc.^1907, No. LIII. 53 



