THE SOMALI WILD DOG 

 Lycaon piotns somalions, Thos. 



Somali name, Yeyi 



Description. — The Somali wild dog has only lately been 

 given subspecific rank by Mr. Thomas owing to its " smaller size 

 and its excessively sparse and short fur." The general colour is 

 dark,^ patches of black and yellow. The undersurface is almost 

 naked. The muzzle and centre of crown are black. The fore- 

 limbs are marbled black and white. Hind-limbs buffy yellow 

 above, the feet black and white. Tail not forming a very thick 

 brush, its short-haired yellow base shorter than the black mesial 

 and white terminal portions. The above is Mr. Thomas's descrip- 

 tion of a specimen obtained by Major Dunn, R.A.M.C, at Gorahai 

 on the Tug Fafan in Ogaden. 



Measurements of this specimen, an old female, in the flesh 

 were : 



Head and body 890 mm. 



Tail . . . .' . . . . 280 „ 



Hindfoot 193 „ 



Ear lis ,1 



Distribution. — The wild dog is very rare in Northern 

 Somaliland, but is frequently seen in the • Ogaden country, 

 according to native accounts. Personally I have never seen 

 one. 



Habits. — They are said to invariably go in packs, and when 

 hungry will attack and drive off their kills any of the larger 

 Carnivora. 



so 



