THE CAPE JUMPING SHREW 



tinguish the various kinds by calling them sub- 

 species and giving them a third Latin name. For 

 instance, the Jumping Shrew, known as Elephantulus 

 rupestris, is found to differ slightly in various parts 

 of the country, so in order to distinguish it from 

 the others, we call it Elephantulus rupestris typicus. 

 In South Africa there are two sub-species of this 

 kind of Jumping Shrew, so we say there is the 

 typical species, and two sub-species, viz. : 



1 . Elephantulus rupestris typicus. 



2. ,, ,, myurus. 



3. „ ,, jamesoni. 



The following are the species and sub-species of 

 Jumping Shrews which inhabit South Africa. 



THE CAPE JUMPING SHREW 



(Macroscelides proboscideus) 



The Cape Jumping Shrew inhabits the dryer por- 

 tions of the Cape Province, and seems to be generally 

 distributed both east and west. It has not yet 

 been recorded beyond the confines of the Cape 

 Province. It lives in burrows in the ground out 

 on the arid veld, in localities which afford some 

 cover in the way of vegetation. In situations where 

 enemies are not numerous, it seeks its food by day, 

 and delights in the warm sunshine. When harassed 

 by hawks and other enemies, it hides by day and 



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