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Show 13G MESSRS. O. THOMAS AND H. SCHWANN ON MAMMALS [Feb. 21, " This rat builds a dome-shaped nest of dry grass at the foot of some bush, where it both sleeps and breeds. It does not seem to burrow. Their nests and runs can be easily seen when the veldt has been burnt off. Apparently diurnal only."- C. H. B. G. 16. Mus colonus Brants. c?. 768 (1 in spirit). 5 . 762, 766, 772. Zuurbron. J . 681 (1 inspirit). 5 . 735. Wakkerstroom. " Not common. Seems partial to outbuildings and stone walls."- C. H. B. G. 17. L eggada minutoides Smith. <5 . 698, 702 (1 in spirit). 5 . 714, 715. Wakkerstroom. 5 . 781. Zuurbron. " Zulu name in Transvaal ‘ Ngoso.' Not very common, inhabiting the stone walls of the lands and kraals, and the clumps of rocks and bushes 011 the hillsides and flats close to the bush. " Exclusively nocturnal."- C. IT. B. G. 18. A rvicanthis pumilio Sparrm. cJ . 755, 756 764. Zuurbron. d . 683, 736, 740. ? . 686, 704, 717, 726 (1 in spirit). W akkerstroom. " Very common, inhabiting the outbuildings and stone walls and grass-lands."- C.H.B. G. 19. D endromus mesomelas Brants. Dendromus A. Smith, Zool. Journ. iv. pp. 438-439 (1829). Dendromys Smuts, Enum. Mamm. Cap. 32 (1832). 5 . 765. Zuurbron. This species was described by Brants as being red-brown on the back, with a black stripe down the median line, with which particulars Mr. Grant's specimen agrees very well, although it happens to be in rather poor fur. " Zulu name in Transvaal, ‘ Ngoso.' " It is hard to ascertain whether the two species obtained are common or not, as they are very difficult to secure, and it is impossible to learn about them from the natives, as they use the same name for so many animals. It cannot apparently be trapped, and is probably nocturnal. Dilligent search was made for nests or other signs, but none were observed."- C. II. B. G. 20. D endromus melanotis Smith. 5 . 727. Wakkerstroom. Hitherto the British Museum possessed only one example of this species, the type described by Dr. Smith in 1834, so that Mr. Grant's specimen is a very welcome addition. |