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Show " Zulu name in Transvaal ‘ Cagiti.' Found on the high veldt only ; not so common as Cynictis penicillata, to which its habits are similar."- C. H. B. G. 12. H erpestes gracilis PUNCTULATUS Gray. This Mongoose may be distinguished by its generally darker colour and the much brighter suffusion on the head and shoulders from its nearest ally, 11. gracilis cauui Smith *, which was described from Kurrichaine, Western Transvaal t. By the kindness of Dr. H. 0. Forbes, Director of the Liverpool Museum, we have been enabled to examine the type of Herpestes cauui, and find that it agrees in every way with specimens obtained at Essex Vale in Matabililand by Mr. F. C. Selous. " Zulu name in Transvaal ‘ Cagiti.' It is said by the natives to be very fond of snakes, especially the £ Mamba.' They say that when it finds the sleeping-hole of one, it digs another directly above and behind the entrance and communicating with it, and waits there for the return of the occupant, when it seizes it at the back of head and instantly despatches it."- G. H. B. G. 13. I ctonyx capensis Kaup. J . 779. Zuurbron. S . 696. $ . 695,721. Wakkerstroom. " Zulu name in Transvaal 4 Iqaqa.' Found and trapped in the clumps of rocks on the hillsides and under the krantzes. Very destructive to poultry and occasionally eating carrion."- C. H. B. G. 14. T atera brantsii Smith. S . 692,701,710. $ . 699. Wakkerstroom. The typical locality of Smith's Gerbillus brantsii X was the " hills towards the sources of the Caledon River," that is to say along the Basuto border of the Orange River Colony. " Not common, nor observed in the low veldt, but seems to favour lands that have at one time been under cultivation. Apparently lives in pairs with the young in small burrows of five or six holes. Nocturnal only and a vegetarian."- C. II. B. G. 15. Otomys irroratus Brants. J . 723, 724 (1 in spirit). Wakkerstroom. . 775, 782. $ . 760. Zuurbron. <• Zulu name in Transvaal ‘ Ibuusi.' Partial to vleis, sluits, and all damp places where sufficient cover exists, also found occasionally in a clump of rocks some little distance from any water and in farm lands. # Report of Expedition, p. 42 (1836). f 25' 4 0 " S., 27' 1 0 " E. j Report of Expedition, p. 43 (1836). 1905.] FROM THE WAKKERSTROOM DISTRICT, TRANSVAAL. 135 |