184 REPORT OF THE HARVARD AFRICAN EXPEDITION 
rian species of bush cow as Syncerus nanus (page 614). Johnston ! conjectured 
that S. planiceros was a smaller buffalo found in the open country of the Man- 
dingo Plateau, whereas Bubalus nanus was found in the forest districts. How- 
ever, he himself did not see either in Liberia. Although we did not observe 
the small red buffalo, it seems from the description given of the Liberian type 
in Biittikofer’s specimens, that one of the Liberian species may be identical 
with the red buffalo of the eastern Congo, particularly with the pygmy red 
buffalo of the Ituri Forest, Bubalus nanus. In parts of the interior of Liberia 
the natives hunt the bush cow chiefly by trapping it in pitfalls or in spear traps, 
although occasionally they shoot it in the glades of the forest or on its borders. 
The red river pig, Koiropotamus porcus, is said to occur in Liberia, but appears 
to be rare and is seldom seen. No specimens of the forest pig (Hylochoerus) 
appear to have been observed in Liberia. 
Elephants, although still present in certain parts of the country, are fast 
disappearing, and are already very scarce. When they appear they are usually 
successfully hunted by the natives even with their crude methods, and it does 
not seem likely that they will survive for a much longer period. The amount 
of ivory exported from Liberia is negligible. There has been much discussion 
of the existence of a pygmy elephant, but although there is no doubt that the 
Liberian elephants are small, no one has yet definitely found and described a 
pygmy species. Since leaving Liberia I received a cable saying that a pygmy 
elephant had been captured there, and offering it for sale. However, before 
it could be shipped to this country and carefully examined, word was received 
of its death. As the elephant was said to be a young one, it was presumed 
that its skull would probably not be of value as a museum specimen. Small 
elephants have often been reported as having been seen in Liberia, but a dis- 
tinct pygmy elephant has not yet been found. However, the possible existence 
of a pygmy species is discussed on page 616 by Allen and Coolidge. 
Allen and Coolidge list one hundred and one species in their study of the 
mammals of Liberia which is based on the specimens described and collected 
on the present Expedition. Among the smaller mammals are five species of 
shrews; nineteen of bats; two of otters or weasels; two of mongooses; eight 
of monkeys; two of lemurs; ten of squirrels; sixteen of rats and mice. Five 
species are recorded by them for the first time from the Liberian area. These 
are the rat Hylomyscus allent simus, the shrew Crocidura nigricans, the bats 
Petalia arge and Hzpposideros lang: and the squirrel Anomalurella pusillus. 
Hylomyscus alleni simus is a new subspecies and is described on page 599. 
They found that the trapping of small animals was especially difficult. On 
account of heavy rains the bait soon became unattractive and moreover usu- 
ally became quickly covered with ants. Even the specimens themselves when 
taken had in a number of instances been destroyed by these insects. 
Ornithology. The study of the birds of Liberia was made by Dr. Glover M. 
Allen. In obtaining this Liberian collection, which covers a region hitherto 
neglected, he was especially assisted by Mr. Loring Whitman, who took a great 
1 Johnston: Loc. cit., vol. II, p. 730. 
