KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADEMIENS HANDLINGAR. BAND 48. N:O 5. 95 
Cricetomys gambianus kenyensis Oscoop. 
Oscoop: Field Mus: Nat. Hist. Zool. Ser. Vol. X, n:o 2 1910., p. 9. 
Two specimens of this Giant Rat were trapped in the primeval forest on the 
slopes of Kenia, the first near Kitwai river one days march from Embu boma ?”/1, 
the other one days march further north. 'The skull measurements of the somewhat 
larger male specimen agree quite well with those of the type (I. c.) which also was 
a male obtained from the southern side of Kenia. The female is a little smaller, 
although its teeth are more worn and indicate a more advanced age. It was caught 
in a hollow log. 
Lophuromys aquilus zena (DOLLMAN). 
TruvE: Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. XV, 1892, p. 460. 
DoLLMAN: Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. Ser. 8, Vol. IV 1909, p. 550. 
This easily recognizable rat was collected in eighteen specimens at the following 
localities: Escarpment, »8,000 feet»; Kenia, 2,700 m.; Kenia, 2,500 m.; Kenia, 2,450 
m.; in shambas not far from Embu boma 2,000 m.; at Embu boma; at Kutu south 
of Embu boma; at Meru boma »about 5,300 feet», and somewhat south of the last 
place. It was trapped as well high up on Kenia at an open place in the bamboo- 
region at an altitude of 2,700 m. where the climate was rather harsh,' as lower down 
in the cultivated region. It does not seem, however, to descend to the real low and 
hot country. 
A remarkable fact is that such a great number of specimens of this kind have 
mutilated tails, viz. 7 out of 18. Of these 4 are entirely without tail, and in 3 the 
distal portion of the tail is missing. In all seven this had happened before the ani- 
mal was trapped so that the wound was entirely healed. 1t may also be remembered 
in this connection that TRUF's type specimen had the tail somewhat mutilated, and 
the only specimen collected by SJöstTEDT had the tail multilated as well. This pro- 
ves that it is quite a common occurrence in this species that its tail is lost entirely 
or partly. It is evident that this might be caused either by foes of other kinds, or 
when the animals fight with members of their own species. The latter appears perhaps 
less probable, partly because males and females have lost their tails in nearly equal 
number and partly because the tail must be lost when the rat is pursued, not when 
it is fighting. It appears thus more probable that the tail is lost to a pursuing foe 
of some kind. It is also evident that this partial loss must be of considerable import- 
ance to the species as such a great percentage of specimens survive in a mutila> 
ted state. In spite of the fact that the lost parts do not appear to be reproduced 
in this case, it is evidently a kind of autotomy that takes place to the benefit of the 
species. 
,5” C. was observed in the evening and + 2 C? in the morning at sunrise. 
Id 
L. ce. and Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser 8, Vol. VII, p. 529. 
1 
2 
