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Show 228 MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE MAMMALS OF HAINAN. [Apr. 28, 6. THE MUNGOOS. Herpestes, sp. ? One evening at Kiungchow I observed a Mungoos running along a bank outside the city wall. Later on I saw a skin of apparently the same species hanging up in a garden at Shuyweisze (Central Hainan) to serve as a scarecrow. Its hair was yellowish grey mottled with black. I cannot from recollection identify the species. I have not noted any species of Herpestes in China ; but Dr. Gray has described an Herpestes rutilus from Cambodia (P. Z. S. 1861, p. 136). The Mungoos is, I think, the Cha-le of the Gazetteer. 7. THE CLOUDED TIGER. Felis macrocelis (Temm.). Neofelis macrocelis, Gray, P. Z. S. 1867, p. 266. The skin of this Cat was shown to me in the mountains as having been procured in that neighbourhood; and I was told that the true Leopard also occurred in Hainan. The Hainan Gazetteer admits both species. It says, " Pao, or Leopard, resembling a Tiger in form, with white face and round head. Those with spots like cash (Chinese coin) are called the 'Golden-cash Leopard' (Leopardus varius); those with spots shaped like the mint-leaf are called ' Mint Leopard' (L. macrocelis). They dread Snakes. The poet Hwai Nantsze has the following couplet: - ' Snakes command the Leopard to stand : all creatures have their masters.' " 8. THE MUSKY TREE-CIVET. Helictis moschata, J. E. Gray, P. Z. S. 1830, p. 94; 1865, p. 153. I have but one skin from Hainan, which wants the large white spot between the eyes. The white line from between the ears to beyond the shoulders is narrow and indistinct. The dark parts of the head are brown, without any tinge of blackish. Hind neck, front of fore and hind legs plain brown, without the white grizzly appearance; the brown is darker on the hind neck and between the shoulders; the down at the root of these hairs light brownish buff. The under parts, cheeks, and ears are pale buff, deeper-coloured on the down beneath. Whiskers brown ; a few of the shorter ones white. The British Museum has a specimen from Canton, which is coloured like ours and wants the nasal white spot. 9. THE CHINESE OTTER. Lutra chinensis, Gray. Skin of an animal about half-grown. Hair short, with down at roots. Upper parts brown, with down of lighter shade; the brown extending to the muzzle, down the front of the legs over the toes; tail the same colour. Sides of face and underparts generally brownish white, with light-buff-brown down. Ears small and rounded, edged with brownish white ; the whiskers about the muzzle and face the same colour. Claws light brown. This seems to be the same as the Otter found throughout South China, which Dr. J. E. Grav has distinguished from the Indian Otter (L. indica, Gray). " Td, like a Dog, but with a bristly mouth, hair fine ; enters water without getting wet; delights in catching fish."-Gazetteer. |