MAMMALIA. 235 



shot at an elevation of only 2,000 feet above the sea, 

 and I at first thought this might be H. gracilis, Etipp. ; 

 but it has the black tail-tip of H. mutgigella. I have 

 seen a precisely similar specimen in the Berlin Museum, 

 labelled H. gracilis, and I much doubt if the two forms 

 are really distinguishable. The tail varies in length in 

 different specimens from twelve to fifteen inches. 



This ichneumon was usually seen in low bush jungle ; 

 often upon rocks. It is diurnal in its habits. I also 

 once or twice saw a striped species, probably U. 

 zebra, Eiipp., of which I did not succeed in securing 

 specimens. 



9. Hyaena crocuta, L. 



H. crocuta et S. maculata, auct. 

 Crocuta maculata. Gray. 



From the time of entering Abyssinia to that of 

 leaving it, the singularly unearthly howl of the spotted 

 hyaena was the commonest of nocturnal sounds. Yet it 

 was the rarest occurrence to see one of these animals 

 in the day. I only turned up two or three from ravines 

 and thickets, and occasionally caught sight of one 

 prowling about towards dusk. At night the hyaenas 

 constantly came amongst the tents, and sometimes 

 attacked goats, mules, ponies, or cattle, which were 

 tethered near the camp. They were just as abundant 

 on the highlands as in the low country. 



In boldness and rapacity the spotted hygena is far 

 superior to his striped relative, so far at least as can be 

 judged from the habits of the latter in India. I have 



