220 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Suggested Mimicry of the South African Weasel. — It seems possible 

 th&t the Quake-Weasel (Poecilog ale albiiiucha) of South Africa mimics the 

 Polecat or Muishond {Zorilla striata) of the same region. How this is 

 done, in what direction it lies, and the reasons, I will proceed to try and 

 explain, or rather offer the following explanation : — Both these animals 

 are black with white stripes down the back ; both are moreover very much 

 alike in looks, notwithstanding the marked generic differences. Now 

 " Zorilla striata " is defended by its power of emitting a strong odour at 

 will, thus resembling the American Skunks, and " Pcecilogale albinucha " 

 is not so defended. As they reside in much the same localities, and, as far 

 as I know, their habits are also similar, we may infer herefrom that the 

 latter animal mimics the former. The Stink-muishond, as the mimicked 

 is generally called in South Africa, is nocturnal, although it may be, and 

 has been, caught wandering about shortly before and after sunset. They 

 are noted poultry-stealers, and if one, during a nocturnal visit to a poultry- 

 yard, happens to be disturbed or irritated in any way by something or other 

 which may cause the animal to emit the renowned (?) stench, the smell is 

 fearful and very apparent to anyone entering the poultry-yard next morn- 

 ing, and may hang about the place for days. I have seen this animal 

 chased by Dogs, and no sooner did they get near the Polecat than it 

 halted, humped up its back, emitted a sort of purr, raised the long hair on 

 its back, and — phew ! the Dogs made oflf in the opposite direction, howling 

 dismally. Sportsmen-friends of mine tell me that Dogs do attack this 

 animal. =:= In this case they have another trick to fall back upon — that of 

 feigning death. Here the smell always present in the animal must no 

 doubt assist in completing the delusion. I have myself seen one, on get- 

 ting timely knowledge of the approach of Dogs, quietly stretch itself out 

 and feign death, allowing the canine enemy to approach quite close, and 

 even smell it. The Dogs in this case do nothing but walk away again. 

 Now the Weasel, through natural selection — adaptation to circumstances — 

 may mimic the warning colours of the Polecat. In addition to this it feigns 

 death as good as the mimicked animal, and, what is more, has much the 

 same odour as the Polecat, without the gift of being able to emit the awful 

 stench so characteristic of the former. I would be very glad if any reader 

 of * The Zoologist ' would give his experiences or ideas, either to corroborate 

 the above or prove it without foundation. I think it well worth while 

 investigating, and as matters stand I think I am justified in my opinions 

 and deductions. Of course, until more is known of the habits of these two 

 animals, one will never be able to reason clearly. — Alwin C. Haagner 

 (Modderfontein, Transvaal Colony). 



'■'•' The Polecat is, however, bound to have many enemies less plucky than 

 a Do?.— A. C. H. 



