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Show *°69.] REPORT OF MR. W. JESSE. 113 and nearer the hills broken ground, bearing, at the period of which I speak, but few traces of vegetation bevond those of low thornv mimosas and a stunted species of cypress." The plain is intersected by dry watercourses, running from the hills towards the sea. The presence of salt in the soil is to be detected from the sea even up to Koomayli. Along the seashore are belts of mangroves, affording shelter for many species of waterfowl. About an hour's ride from Zoulla towards the head of the bay are some hot springs, near a large grove of tamarisks. It was at this place I found spoor and dung of Elephants, three species of Antelope, and one of Bustard. The tenants of these barren districts, as far as 1 could ascertain, are Elephants (during the wet season), three species of Antelope, Wart- Hogs, a small Hare, one species of Hyena (probably the spotted), one of Jackal (probably Canis anthus), a Jungle-Cat (supposed to be identical with the Syrian Cat, of which I obtained a female and cubs), also a Jerboa-like Rodent. Scorpions are here numerous and large. For further details I shall refer to m y collections at a later date. The character of the fauna of the plains is migratory, changing almost monthly from the hills to the plains, and vice versd. Proceeding up the passes, the only object worthy of special notice was the curious Rodent named by Mr. Blyth Pectinator spekii, the existence of which was made known to m e by Mr. Blanford, and of which I obtained specimens. I should have procured more specimens had not my taxidermist fallen ill with fever, and m y own health continued far from good. On arriving at Senafe I made that place m y headquarters; and health rapidly improving, I set to work in the surrounding neighbourhood. Here, on one of m y excursions, a companion who had separated from me was robbed of one of m y rifles, and returned to camp stripped. Unfortunately, this happening out of m y reach, I lost the opportunity of procuring a skeleton of one of the inhabitants for our investigation in England. From Senafe I made a short trip to Addigerat, adding somewhat to my collection. The rapid and successful termination of the Abyssinian campaign brought m v labours to an unexpected close; but I continued working until Lord Napier's return to Senafe obliged me to return. I here found the list of birds numerically increased. About Senafe and Rareguddi the " Koodoo," or " Aggaziu" (Strepsiceros kudu), was found in small herds, and a fine young buck came into m y possession alive-a present to the Society from Dr. Knapp, surgeon to the 25th Bengal Native Infantry. Unfortunately, two consecutive attacks of dysentery reduced the animal to such a state of weakness that it was impossible to save it-a fact which I much regretted, as I believe at that time the Society did not possess a specimen alive in their gardens. The " Klipp-springer " Antelope existed in these regions; and the " Beni-e-Israel" Antelope I found in the valleys at the back of Senafe, as also the "Wart-Hog." Two species of " Ground-Squirrel," one striated, the other not, and one species of Ichneumon came under m y notice up the passes. On the hills in the neighbourhood of Senafe I found another P R O C . Z O O L . Soc-1869, No. VIII. |