Notes on the Fauna of a Desert Tract in Southern India. Part III. — A List of 

 a small collection of Mammals from Ramanad. 



By R. C. Wroughton, F.E.S., Communicated by N. Annandale. 



[Read Feb. 7th, 1906.] 



[Through the kindness of Mr. Oldfield Thomas, F.R.S., the following list of the mammals procured 

 during the month of August in the Ramanad subdivision of the Madura District has been drawn up in the 

 British Museum. So little is known of the fauna of this curious little desert tract that it has seemed worth- 

 while to publish the list. I have added a few notes, which are distinguished from Mr. Wroughton's text by 

 being enclosed in square brackets, and also references to the late Dr. W. T. Blandford's volume on the 

 Mammals in the '-Fauna of India" series. The measurements given were taken on the fresh specimen. 

 — N. A.] 



I. VULPES BENGALENSIS, Shaw. 



\V. bengalensis, Blandford, p. 148.] 

 Skin quite normal. 



[An adult female. Measurements: Head and Body = 485 mm., Tail = 2qo mm., Ear = 70 mm., Hind 

 foot= 1 1 1 mm.] 



2. Erinaceus micropus, Blyth. 



[E. micropus, Blanford, p. 218.] 

 Apparently quite normal. 



[An adult male from near Kilakarai on the Gulf of Manaar. Measurements : Head and Body=i37 mm., 

 Tail = 8 mm., Ear = 23 mm., Hind foot = 27 mm. Appears to be very local in Rarnanid. Local name =*Muttu- 

 piindru (thorn-pig). The flesh fried in ghi is used as medicine for whooping-cough.] 



3- FUNAMBULUS PALMARUM, Linn. 



\Sciurus palmar um (partim), Blanford, p. 383.] 

 Rather dull coloured, otherwise normal. 



[An adult male with an injured tail. Measurements: Head and Body=i63 mm., Ear=i6 mm., Hind 

 foot = 38 mm. This squirrel is very common throughout Ramanad. All the specimens seen resembled the 

 one procured in colour. On several occasions I watched an individual digging up ants from their nests in the 

 sand by means of its forefeet.] 



4. Tatera cuvieri, Waterhouse. 



[Gerbillus indicus {partim), Blanford, p. 396.] 



I have no doubt that this form {cuvieri) will be separated from indicus when exami- 

 nation of the group is complete. 



[Several skins and specimens in spirit from Ra^neswarem Island and the mainland of Raman&d. Measure- 

 ment of an adult female: Head and Body= 134. mm., Tail = 183 mm., Ear= 18 mm., Hind foot = 39 mm , Eye 

 black and very large, having, in consequence of its protrusion, almost a diseased look. This species is very 

 common in Ramanad. It digs burrows at least three feet deep. The Hindus of the district, who call it velyelki 

 (white rat), are fond of its flesh, which they grind up with various spices.] 



