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Show 1896.] ON THE GAZELLES OF TUNISIA. 815 4. On the Gazelles of Tunisia. By JOSEPH S. WHITAKER, F.Z.S. [Eeceived October 1, 1896.] GAZELLA DORCAS (Linn.). The common Dorcas Gazelle is to be met wdtb throughout the greater part of Central and Southern Tunisia, frequenting the vast semi-desert plains abundant in those districts, but not tbe more sandy inland country of the extreme south of the Regency, where it is replaced by another species. So far as I can ascertain, tbe Dorcas Gazelle never occurs in the Tell country ; but I have found it in the neighbourhood of Kairouan, which is probably tbe extreme northern limit of the range of this species in the Regency. On the extensive plains to the west of Gafsa I have found it particularly abundant; and 1 understand it is plentiful in the neighbourhood of the Chott Djerid, and throughout a considerable portion of tbe coast-country of the south, but not in the true desert further inland, where sand-dunes take the place of the stony scrub-covered plains. It may occasionally stray into the sand country, but this is exceptional. In winter the Dorcas Gazelle congregates in large herds, often numbering over one hundred individuals ; but in spring these herds break up, and one then meets with the Gazelles in small parties or singly. The female G. dorcas, I a m told, gives birth to but one young one at a time, and this generally in the month of April. The horns of this species vary considerably both in size and in shape. As a rule, those of the adult male are stout, deeply annulate, and lyrate, measuring from 10 to 13 inches in length along the front curve; those of the female are much shorter, straighter, smoother, and more slender. 1 may here mention that I have specimens of the Dorcas Gazelle from the country south of the Chott Djerid, which are somewhat paler in colour than the ordinary type. N o doubt this variation in colouring is due to some difference in the nature of the soil and surroundings of the districts from whence these particular specimens came. GAZELLA CUVIERI (Ogilby). The Mountain Gazelle, the Edml or Eclem of the Arabs-the Tunisians use the latter name-is to be found sparingly on most of the mountains throughout the Tunisian Regency. Essentially a mountain species, as its name implies, it never occurs, so far as I am aware, on the plains, or at any distance from hilly country. I have met with the Edmi, and obtained specimens of it, on some of the higher ranges near Kasrin, in Central Tunis, and have found it in the south near Gafsa and Tamerza. In the north of the Begency it seems to occur on the mountains near Zaghouan, the extreme eastern range of the Atlas, and in the neighbourhood PROC. Z O O L . Soc-1896, N o . LIII. 53 |