54 
TWO NEW PIGMY GERBILS 
TWO NEW PIGMY GERBILS FROM BRITISH 
EAST AFRICA 
By Guy Dollman 
From ‘ The Annals and Magazine of Natural History * 
Dipodillus Percivali, sp. n. 
Intermediate in size between Dipodillus diminutus , Dollm., 
and D. Harwoodi , Thos. 
General colour of dorsal surface rather richer than in 
diminutus ; on the back the effect is almost as rich as in the 
‘ amber-brown ’ of Ridgway (1912), gradually becoming paler 
on the flanks (between ‘ ochraceous tawny * and ‘ cinnamon). 
Backs of hands and feet and ventral surface of body white. 
Tail like that of Harwoodi. 
Skull considerably larger than that of diminutus , but not 
as large as in the Naivasha species. 
Dimensions of type (measured in the flesh) : Head and 
body 78 mm. ; tail 102 ; hind foot 20 ; ear 11. 
Skull : greatest length 28*7 ; basilar length 16*8 ; length 
of nasals 8*5 ; zygomatic breadth 12*2 ; interorbital con- 
striction 4 ; breadth across brain-case 11*5 ; length of anterior 
palatal foramina 4*8 ; length of upper cheek-teeth (from front 
alveolar border to back of last molar) 8*6. 
Hah. — Voi, British East Africa. Altitude 2500 feet. 
Type. — Adult female. Original number 1544. Collected 
and presented to the British Museum by A. Blayney Percival, 
Esq. 
This Yoi Dipodillus is evidently more nearly related to 
the northern form D. diminutus , from the Northern Guaso 
Nyiro than to the Naivasha species, D. Harwoodi. In general 
dimensions it is intermediate between these two species, and 
in colour rather richer and brighter than diminutus. 
This handsome little Gerbil I have named after the collector, 
Mr. Blayney Percival, the value of whose field-work in British 
East Africa it would be difficult to exaggerate. 
