Chapter XVIII: Zoology (2)

12. PRINIA MYSTACEA, Rüpp.

_Prinia mystacea_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 191.

_Drymæca tenella_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 312. ♂︎ ♀︎, 5000 feet.

13. CISTICOLA SUBRUFICAPILLA (Smith).

_Cisticola subruficapilla_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. vii. p. 283.

♂︎, 5500 feet; ♀︎, 8000 feet.

14. NECTARINIA FAMOSA (Linn.).

_Nectarinia famosa_, Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 13, pl. 5.

♂︎ in partial moult, 2 ♀︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 6000 feet; ♂︎ in moult, 7000 feet.

Very abundant.

15. NECTARINIA JOHNSTONI, sp. n.[43]

♂︎, Kilima-njaro, 11,000 feet.

Very similar in size, form, and colour to _N. famosa_, but readily distinguished by the pectoral tufts being bright scarlet.

Entire head, neck, back, least and median wing-coverts, and chest metallic green, with the base of the feathers black; a small black patch from the gape to the eye. The head, neck, and back have a slight golden shade, not so strong as is generally the case in _N. famosa_, while the rump and upper tail-coverts have a bluish lustre; remainder of the wings brownish black with a slight purple gloss; the greater wing-coverts are partially edged with metallic green, shaded with bronzy violet on a few of the outer feathers; the primary-coverts and the greater secondaries show, in certain lights, faint indications of similar metallic edges. Tail purplish black, the feathers towards the centre being narrowly and partially edged with bluish green. Axillary tufts bright scarlet; abdomen, thighs, and under surface of the wings blackish brown; under tail-coverts purplish black, with slight traces of metallic bluish-green margins to a few of the feathers. The under wing-coverts towards the bend of the wing are tipped with metallic green. Bill and legs black. Total length 10·6 inches, culmen 1·25, wing 3·3, tail 6·6, tarsus 0·7.

Very abundant. Not seen lower than 5000 or 6000 feet, but reaches higher up the mountain than any other bird with the exception of _Corvultur albicollis_ and _Pinarochroa hypospodia_. Found very much round a curious teazle-like lobelia (_L. Deckeni_). Also at lower levels it affects the tall aloe flower-shoots.

16. NECTARINIA KILIMENSIS, Shelley.

_Nectarinia kilimensis_, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1884, p. 555.

Two ♂︎, 3000 feet; ♂︎ ♀︎, 4000 feet; 4 ♂︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 5600 feet; ♂︎, not labelled.

Found mostly near base of mountain, very common. Rarely if ever seen above 5600 feet.

17. NECTARINIA REICHENOWI (Fischer).[44]

_Nectarinia Reichenowi_, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1884, p. 556, pl. 51.

_Drepanorhynchus Reichenowi_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 338.

♂︎, 4000 feet; 2 ♀︎, 5000 feet. Never seen above 5000 feet.

They abound in the native plantations, being, in common with most of the other Sun-birds, attracted there by the flowers of the sweet potato and of various beans and peas.

18. CINNYRIS AFFINIS, Rüpp.

_Cinnyris affinis_, Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 239, pl. 74. fig. 2.

♂︎, 4000 feet; ♂︎, 5000 feet; ♂︎, not labelled.

Very abundant at low levels.

19. CINNYRIS MEDIOCRIS, sp. n.

♂︎, Kilima-njaro, 12,000 feet.

Intermediate between _C. chalybeus_ and _C. chloropygius_, but with the bills lightly more curved than in either. It resembles _C. chalybeus_ in the colouring of the metallic parts, having the blue terminal collar to the throat and blue upper tail-coverts; but differs from that species and resembles _C. chloropygius_ in the colouring of the abdomen, thighs, under tail-coverts, and wings, which are darker and more olive than in _C. chalybeus_.

Entire head, neck, back, least and median wing-coverts uniform metallic golden green; upper tail-coverts steel-blue; remainder of the wings dark brown, with the margins of the feathers shaded with olive; the green of the throat terminates in a narrow steel-blue collar, followed by a broad scarlet collar; pectoral tufts yellow; remainder of the underparts brownish olive, slightly washed with olive-yellow; thighs dark-brown; bill and legs black. Total length 4·6 inches, culmen 0.7, wing 2·1, tail 2, tarsus 0·7.

Fairly abundant. Only remarked in upper regions.

20. CINNYRIS KIRKI, Shelley.

_Cinnyris Kirki_, Shelley, Monogr. Nect. p. 273, pl. 85; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1885, p. 339.

♂︎ in moult, 3000 feet; ♂︎ ♀︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 7000 feet.

21. MOTACILLA LONGICAUDA, Rüpp.

_Motacilla longicauda_, Rüpp, Neue Wirb. pl. 29. fig. 2.

Two ♂︎, 6000 feet.

22. POLIOSPIZA TRISTRIATA, Rüpp.

_Poliospiza tristriata_, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 642.

♀︎, 8000 feet. Found in small flocks.

23. CITRINELLA CITRINELLOIDES, Rüpp.

_Citrinella citrinelloides_, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. p. 644.

♀︎, 6000 feet; ♂︎, 7000 feet.

24. VIDUA PRINCIPALIS (Linn.).

_Vidua principalis_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 325.

Two ♂︎, 5000 feet.

25. ?PENTHETRIA EQUES, Hartl.

_Penthetria eques_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 326.

♂︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 7000 feet.

These are immature specimens or in the brown winter plumage, and can therefore only be doubtfully referred to this species.

26. HYPHANTORNIS OCULARIUS (Smith).

_Hyphantornis ocularius_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 331.

♂︎, 2300 feet; ♂︎, 6000 feet.

27. SYCOBROTUS REICHENOWI, Fischer.

_Sycobrotus Reichenowi_, Shelley, P. Z. S. 1884, p. 557.

_Hyphanturgus Reichenowi_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 331.

2 ♂︎, 3 ♀︎, 5000 feet; ♂︎, 6000 feet.

Breeds in colonies, especially affecting palm-trees.

28. ORIOLUS NOTATUS, Peters.

_Oriolus notatus_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 196; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 334.

♂︎, 2500 feet. Irides carmine.

29. AMYDRUS MORIO (Linn.).

♂︎, 7000 feet.

This is a full adult male, agreeing perfectly in its measurements with Natal specimens.

Met with in small flocks of five or six. They utter a low pleasing cry or soft whistle and frequent small thickets.

30. CORVULTUR ALBICOLLIS (Lath.).

_Corvultur albicollis_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. p. 24.

_Archicorax albicollis_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 336.

♂︎, 5000 feet.

Inhabits the whole mountain up to the snow, and breeds in August in crevices in the most inaccessible rocks.

31. CORVUS SCAPULATUS, Daud.

_Corvus scapulatus_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. iii. 1877, p. 22; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 337.

♀︎, 5000 feet.

More a bird of the plains than the mountainous region, where its place is taken by _Corvultur_.

32. BARBATULA LEUCOTIS, Sundev.

_Barbatula leucotis_, Marshalls, Monogr. Capitonidæ, p. 131, pl. 52.

_Megalæma leucotis_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 371.

♂︎, 3000 feet; ♀︎, 6000 feet.

It inhabits the dense forest, where its presence is often proclaimed by its harsh strident note, which it repeats at intervals, and being a bold bird is easily killed. The first pair were met with at Taveita, perched on the bough of a mimosa, and others were seen on the southern flank of the mountain up to 6000 feet.

[33.] DENDROPICUS sp.

Shot in country of Taita, alt. 3000 feet. Skin lost.

34. HAPALODERMA NARINA (Vieill.).

_Hapaloderma narina_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 368.

♂︎, 3000 feet.

This specimen agrees better with the Natal birds, with which we have compared it, than with the equatorial race, _H. constantia_, Sharpe.

Only one specimen seen at Taveita, in the forest, and must be scarce, as the natives appear to have no name for it.

35. EURYSTOMUS AFER (Lath.).

_Eurystomus afer_, Sharpe, Ibis, 1871, p. 274.

Two ♂︎, 4000 feet.

Often mob birds of prey.

36. HALCYON ORIENTALIS, Peters.

_Halcyon orientalis_, Sharpe, Monogr. Alcedinidæ, p. 181, pl. 66; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 361.

♂︎, 5000 feet.

Feeds principally upon the small crabs which inhabit the mountain-streams.

37. BUCEROS CRISTATUS, Rüpp.

_Bycanistes cristatus_; Elliot, Monogr. Bucerotidæ, pl. 26.

_Buceros cristatus_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 361.

♂︎, 4000 feet; ♀︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 6000 feet.

Generally distributed over the mountain up to 6000 feet, especially near habitations. They show no fear of man, being generally protected by the natives, who look upon them with superstitious awe, arising possibly from their being useful scavengers, as well as from their peculiar loud cry, which resembles at times that of the wailing of a woman in distress, at others that of the braying of an ass. In August and September they were breeding, and occasionally the head of the female might be seen peering out from a hole in a tree some thirty or forty feet high, where she had been plastered in by her affectionate husband. By the chips lying about, it would appear that these holes are excavated by the birds to the required size. They are monogamous, and show great affection for each other, which is fortunate, as the female during incubation has entirely to rely on her mate for daily subsistence.

38. BUCEROS MELANOLEUCUS, Licht.

_Tockus melanoleucus_, Elliot, Monogr. Bucerotidæ, pl. 49.

♂︎ ♀︎, 5000 feet.

[39.] BUCORVUS ABYSSINICUS.

The ground hornbill, very frequently seen on Kilima-njaro and elsewhere in vicinity of native villages, not higher than 5000 feet. Never noticed in open country away from human habitations. Rigorously protected by natives, on account of its scavenging habits.

40. TURACUS HARTLAUBI (Fischer and Reichenow).

_Corythaix Hartlaubi_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn.(Madaraz), 1884, p. 363.

♂︎ ♀︎, 10,000 feet. Bill red and green. Skin round the eyes scarlet. Sexes similar.

It frequents the forest, and is most abundant at about 9000 feet. Its loud cry may be frequently heard, but it is difficult to see amongst the thick foliage, and still more difficult to approach, being very shy.

41. COLIUS LEUCOTIS, Rüpp.

_Colius leucotis_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 363.

♂︎, 5000 feet; 2 ♂︎, 6000 feet.

[42.] PŒOCEPHALUS RÜPPELLII.

Observed in the country of Taita.

Not met with on Kilima-njaro.

43. FRANCOLINUS SCHUETTI, Cab.

_Francolinus (Scleroptera) Schuetti_, Cab. J. f. O. 1880, p. 351; 1881, pl. 2.

_Francolinus Schuetti_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 382.

♂︎, 6000 feet.

Frequents the rocks and was very abundant at 5000 feet. It was not met with in the plains.

44. FRANCOLINUS ALTUMI, Fischer and Reichen.

_Francolinus Altumi_, Fischer and Reichen. J. f. O. 1884, p. 179, pl. 2; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 383.

♂︎, 6000 feet.

This species frequents the plains more than the mountains.

[45.] NUMIDA CRISTATA.

The crested guinea-fowl. Often killed in plains and ravines at the base of the mountain.

[46.] NUMIDA CORNUTA.

Very common in low country.

[47.] COTURNIX HISTRIONICA.

Common in plains.

[48.] OTIS sp.

Frequently met with in plains at base of the mountain.

[49.] LOBIVANELLUS ALBICEPS.

On Lake ǰipé.

[50.] STERNA CASPIA.

On Lake ǰipé,

[51.] TRERON WAKEFIELDI, Sharpe.

_Treron Wakefieldi_, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 269.

Two ♂︎ ♀︎, 5000 feet; ♀︎, 6000 feet.

Seen generally in pairs, eats the sycamore-figs.

PROC. ZOOL. SOC.—1885, No. XVI.

[52.] PALUMBUS ARQUATRIX (Temm.).

_Palumbus arquatrix_, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 283.

♂︎, 10,000 feet.

Bare skin round eyes, bill, and feet saffron-yellow. This specimen agrees perfectly with others from Natal. Only noticed at great altitudes from 8500 feet to 10,300 feet. Seen in pairs in the dense forests, sometimes in company with _Turacus Hartlaubi_.

[53.] TYMPANISTRIA TYMPANISTRIA (Temm.).

_Tympanistria tympanistria_, Shelley, Ibis, 1883, p. 326.

_Peristera tympanistria_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 278.

♀︎, 5000 ft.

[54.] TURTUR VINACEUS.

Everywhere at base of mountain.

[55.] TURTUR SEMITORQUATUS.

Common in plains, near water.

[56.] CHALCOPELIA AFRA.

In low country.

[57.] BALEARICA PAVONINA.

In numbers near Lake ǰipé.

[58.] PORPHYRIO, sp.

In the vicinity of Lake ǰipé and the River Ruvu.

[59.] CHENALOPEX ÆYGYPTIACA.

Lake ǰipé.

[60.] ANAS XANTHORHYNCUS?

Streams at high altitudes, 8000 feet to 11,000 feet.

[61.] PELICANUS ONOCROTALUS.

Lake ǰipé.

[62.] NYCTICORAX, sp.?

Lake ǰipé and R. Lumi.

[63.] ARDEA PURPUREA.

Lake ǰipé and R. Lumi.

[64.] ARDEA GOLIATH.

Lake ǰipé.

[65.] ARDEA ALBA.

Lake ǰipé.

[66.] ARDEA BUBULCUS.

Lake ǰipé and most rivers. This bird often follows the cattle of natives to pick off the ticks that infest them.

[67.] SCOPUS UMBRETTA.

Lake ǰipé and R. Lumi. _Very_ common.

[68.] XENORHYNCUS SENEGALENSIS.

Lake ǰipé.

[69.] LEPTOPTILUS CRUMENIFERUS.

Very common in plains. Follows the Masai armies in their raids, and frequents Masai settlements. Rarely seen away from the society of man.

70. IBIS HAGEDASH (Lath.).

_Ibis hagedash_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 386.

♀︎, 3000 feet. Irides scarlet.

Shot in a marsh near Taveita out of a small flock of ten or twelve.

[71.] SERPENTARIUS SECRETARIUS.

The “Secretary Bird.” Very common in the plains.

72. POLYBOROIDES TYPICUS, Smith.

_Polyboroides typicus_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 48.

♀︎, 5000 feet.

Only met with in the neighbourhood of villages. Their feathers and those of the kite are much prized by the natives for the ornamentation of their capes.

[73.] NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS.

The Egyptian vulture. Common up to an alt. of 5000 feet.

74. NEOPHRON MONACHUS (Temm.).

_Neophron monachus_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 19.

_Neophron pileatus_, Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 376.

♂︎, 5000 feet.

Not observed higher up the mountain, as it frequents the more thickly inhabited parts; often in flocks associated with the ground hornbills and the white-necked ravens.

[75.] VULTUR CINEREUS?

Plains round Kilima-njaro.

[76.] GYPS RÜPPELLII.

[77.] OTOGYPS?

Plains round Kilima-njaro.

[78.] SPIZAETUS, sp.

Found on Kilima-njaro up to 8000 feet alt.

[79.] HALIÆTUS VOCIFER.

Lake ǰipé and Ruvu R.

[80.] HELIOTARSUS ECAUDATUS.

Plains round Kilima-njaro.

81. BUTEO AUGUR, Rüpp.

_Buteo augur_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 175; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 374.

♂︎, 4000 feet; ♂︎, 5000 feet; ♂︎, 8000 feet.

82. BUTEO DESERTORUM (Daud).

_Buteo desertorum_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 179; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 374.

♂︎, 5000 feet.

83. ASTURINULA MONOGRAMMICA (Temm.).

_Asturinula monogrammica_, Sharpe, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. i. p. 275; Fischer, Zeitschr. ges. Orn. (Madaraz), 1884, p. 374.

♂︎, 5000 feet.

84. STRUTHIO DANAOIDES, Shelley.

The ostrich of E. Equatorial Africa. Eggs brought back; collected in vicinity of Taveita. Young ostriches kept in captivity by me in that place.

This ostrich, I am informed by the natives, lives a good deal on insects and small reptiles, as well as on leaves and herbage. The young ostriches I kept at Taveita ate raw meat in preference to anything else, though they would also swallow leaves and chopped grass.

* * * * *

LIST OF MAMMALS OBTAINED AND OBSERVED ON MOUNT KILIMA-NJARO AND ITS
VICINITY.

By OLDFIELD THOMAS, F.Z.S. With a few additional notes by the Author.

⁂ The species which have their numbers bracketed were those of which skins or horns were not brought home, and which were either identified by the Author in their particular habitat, or approximately named by Mr. Oldfield Thomas from the Author’s drawings. It is needless to say these drawings, wherever made, were carefully executed from specimens living or dead, and their fidelity may be relied on.

[1.] CYNOCEPHALUS HAMADRYAS.

Country of Taita and vicinity of River Lumi.

[2.] CYNOCEPHALUS SPHINX.

Kilima-njaro up to 6000 feet, especially in vicinity of native villages. Also in adjacent plains and along the River Lumi. Especially abundant near Taveita.

[3.] CYNOCEPHALUS BABOUIN.

On Kilima-njaro up to 5000 feet, and in and near Taveita.

[4.] CERCOPITHĒCUS ALBICULARIS.

In and near Taveita.

[5.] CERCOPITHĒCUS LALANDII.

In and near Taveita and along River Lumi.

[6.] CERCOPITHĒCUS GRISEO-VIRIDIS.

On Kilima-njaro up to 7000 or 8000 feet, and everywhere near water in the plains below. Naturally the commonest monkey to be seen.

7. CERCOPITHĒCUS PYGERYTHRUS, Geoffr.

_a_, _b_. Moši, on the south side of the mountain, 5000 feet, June to August.

Very common in the cultivated gardens round the village, and in the forests lower down at Taveita. These monkeys are exceedingly familiar and mischievous, coming into the gardens to steal fruit, &c., and are entirely without any fear of man.

8. COLOBUS GUEREZA, Rüpp., var. _caudatus_, var. nov.

_a._ Useri, N.E. flank of mountain, 3000 feet, end of October.

Very common all round the base of Kilima-njaro.

The specimen brought, like two or three beautiful skins obtained by Mr. Thomson in the same neighbourhood, belongs to a peculiar race or variety apparently restricted to this region, and characterized by having the white brush of the tail very much larger and finer than is the case in the true Abyssinian _C. guereza_. In the latter animal the proximal 12 to 16 inches of the tail is short-haired and quite black, only the terminal 8 to 12 inches being white and tufted, and the white mantle hanging down from the body hides only about one-third of the black part of the tail. In the Kilima-njaro race, however, only some 3 or 4 inches of the base of the tail are black, and the remainder (with the hairs about 20 or 21 inches) is developed into a magnificent white brush, of which individual hairs are from 7 to 9 inches in length. The hairs of the white body-mantle, moreover, entirely cover the black at the base of the tail, the white of the latter and of the mantle being quite continuous.

In addition to this race, however, the true Guereza is also found in the neighbourhood of Kilima-njaro, as the mantle of the lowland Masai warrior, of whom a drawing is given in Chapter XIX., is made of the skin of this animal, but this is, of course, a rather vague indication of the original locality of the specimen. Mr. Johnston tells me that the natives clearly distinguish the two races, and that the white-tailed form is, at least in the Kilima-njaro district, a more strictly mountain animal than the other.

Taking now into consideration the extreme constancy of the markings of the _Colobi_, the very different appearance that the present animal has from the usual type, its restriction to a small district round Kilima-njaro, and the distinction by the natives of the two forms, I think it will be necessary to distinguish Mr. Johnston’s animal as a separate variety or sub-species, to which the name of _C. guereza caudatus_ might be applied.

Fig. 72.—_Colobus Guereza, var. Caudatus._
]

[9.] GALAGO CRASSICAUDATA?

Found in Taita and near the coast, but not on the mountain.

[10.] CYNONYCTERIS COLLARIS.

Taveita forests.

11. VESPERUGO NANUS, Peters.

Moši, 5000 feet, September 12. Found hanging to a tree in daytime.

[12.] FELIS LEO, L.

The lion is abundant in the neighbourhood, but never ascends higher than about 3000 feet.

13. FELIS PARDUS, L.

_a._ Near foot of mountain, 3000 feet.

The leopard is very common up to about 7500 feet.

[14.] FELIS SERVAL.

Skin obtained in Taita. Common in country at base of Kilima-njaro.

[15.] FELIS CAFFRA.

Kilima-njaro up to 5000 or 6000 feet, and forest of Taveita.

[16.] FELIS CARACAL.

A skin seen near Useri, in possession of natives. According to their report common in the plains.

[17.] CYNÆLURUS VENATOR.

The cheetah appears to be very frequently met with to the north and north-east of Kilima-njaro. The Masai and Endurobo often bring skins for sale. One was purchased at Useri, but subsequently lost.

[18.] VIVERRA CIVETTA.

Very common near base of mountain.

19. GENETTA TIGRINA, Schr.

_a._ Moši, 5000 feet, October.

_b._ Taveita, 2300 feet, August.

Very common; occurs up to 7000 feet. A female specimen, caught by Mr. Johnston, gave birth to three young at about the end of October.

20. HERPESTES CAFFER, Gm. (?).

_a._ Moši, 5000 feet, August.

Is not properly a mountain animal, but occurs round the village for the sake of the fowls and other prey which it can manage to steal there.

Without the skull it is impossible to determine with certainty whether this is _H. ichneumon_, L., or _H. caffer_, Gm.; but the skin has, on the whole, rather more the appearance of _H. caffer_, and it is, therefore, provisionally referred to the southern form.

[21.] HYÆNA CROCUTA.

Very abundant in vicinity of Kilima-njaro, but scarcely ascends higher than 3000 feet.

[22.] HYÆNA STRIATA.

Found on the mountain from 3000 to 6000 feet. Prowls round native villages. Also met with in Taveita and Taita.

23. CANIS LATERALIS, Scl.

_a._ Moši, 5000 feet, August.

Very common round the village, to which it is attracted by the chance of stealing refuse, &c.; not otherwise found much above 3000 feet.

[24.] CANIS, sp.

Mr. Johnston several times saw and heard a species of dog or fox, which he was not able to obtain, but which looked rather like a large fox, and emitted a distinct bark, similar to that of a domestic dog. It is just possible that this was the rare Abyssinian _Canis simensis_, Rüpp., no other animal appearing at all to agree with Mr. Johnston’s description. Native name, _Nzudu_.

[25.] SCIURUS ERYTHROPUS?

On Kilima-njaro, between 3000 and 7000 feet.

[26.] XERUS, sp.

Taveita forest.

[27.] GRAPHIURUS CAPENSIS.

Kilima-njaro, 6000 feet. Nocturnal habits. _Vide_ illustration, p. 392.

[28.] MUS, sp.?

A small black rat infesting native houses.

[29.] AULACODUS SWINDERNIANUS?

Reported by natives near Taveita. Native name, _Mbuku_.

[30.] HYSTRIX CRISTATA.

Very common in plains.

[31.] LEPUS CAPENSIS.

Killed near Taveita in plains.

32. HYRAX BRUCEI, Gray (?).

_a_, _b_. ♂︎ and ♀︎, 10,000 feet, on the south side of the mountain, 26th October.

Native name in Ki-čaga, _Kimburu_.

Fairly common in the mountain-forests, where they live entirely in the trees, and not among the rocks. They do not descend below about 7000 feet and range up to 11,000 feet. These two specimens were brought alive to Mr. Johnston; but the female, after giving birth to three young, died almost at once, and the male, refusing to eat, also died in three or four days.

The specimens agree exactly, so far as can be made out from skins only, with the type of Gray’s _H. irrorata_ (Ann. Mag. N. H. 1869, p. 242), a species, however, which Mr. Blanford (Geol. Zool. Abyss. p. 252, 1870) has shown to be probably not specifically separable from the same author’s _H. Brucei_. Mr. Blanford obtained his Abyssinian conies at elevations varying from 2000 to 8000 feet, and it was only to be expected that specimens inhabiting a locality so much further south as Kilima-njaro should have been found ranging as high as 11,000 feet above the sea.

Fig. 73.—_Graphiurus Capensis._ (_a_) foot. (_b_) hand.
]

[33.] ELEPHAS AFRICANUS, L.

Mr. Johnston states that he himself saw and shot at elephants at an altitude of no less than 13,000 feet.

34. RHINOCEROS BICORNIS, L.

_a_, _b_, _c_. Horns; Taveita, 2300 feet, end of October.

Very common on the elevated plains at the base of Kilima-njaro, but not ascending the mountain itself. Is not found in the true forest, but only in the bush.

These horns were brought in to Mr. Johnston by the A-kamba people, who obtain them by killing the animals with poisoned arrows.

35. EQUUS BURCHELLI, _var_. CHAPMANI. Thomas.

_a._ Taveita, 2300 feet, 25th August.

Very common, in herds of about twenty, on the open plains round the mountain, never ascending above about 2400 feet.

This specimen, like all those I have seen or heard of from localities on or north of the Zambezi, belongs to the so-called _Equus Chapmani_, Layard,[45] in which the dark stripes extend on the limbs right down to the hoof.

That this form, however, cannot be distinguished specifically from the true _E. Burchelli_ is sufficiently proved by the following sentence, extracted from Mr. T. E. Buckley’s useful paper on the distribution of South African mammals:[46]—“Out of five of these animals shot in one herd, there were individuals showing every variation of colour and marking, from the yellow and chocolate stripes to the pure black and white, the stripes in some ceasing above the hock, and in others being continued distinctly down to the hoof.” On the whole, the somewhat ugly trinomial “_Equus Burchelli Chapmani_” seems to express fairly correctly the degree of distinctness to which this northern race has attained.

I am told by Mr. Thomson also that throughout his travels in Eastern Equatorial Africa he has never seen any but this leg-striped race of Burchell’s zebra.

[36.] HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS.

Common in Lake ǰipé.

[37.] PHACOCHŒRUS, sp.

Wart-hogs are found on Kilima-njaro up to an elevation of 8000 feet.

[38.] BUBALUS CAFFER, Sparrm. (?).

According to Mr. Johnston, buffaloes occur commonly in the forests up to 14,000 feet. Whether these are _B. caffer_ or _B. æquinoctialis_, Blyth (_B. centralis_, Gray), is doubtful, but a magnificent pair of horns brought by Mr. Thomson from the same region belong undoubtedly to _B. caffer_; and I therefore provisionally refer those seen by Mr. Johnston to the same species.

[39.] GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS.

Very abundant near Taveita, and along Ruvu valley. For native name, see Vocabulary of Ki-čaga, &c.

[40.] OREAS CANNA.

The eland is everywhere most abundant in the plains.

[41.] STREPSICEROS KUDU, Gray.

Mr. Johnston states that the kudu ranges up to no less than 14,000 feet, at which height it is by no means rare.[47]

[42.] TRAGELAPHUS SYLVATICUS.

Common in plains, especially near Taveita.

[43.] ORYX BEISA?

A species of _Oryx_, apparently _O. beisa_ seen at Nguruṅgani.

[44.] HIPPOTRAGUS NIGER.

Frequently seen in vicinity of Taveita.

[45.] HIPPOTRAGUS EQUINUS.

♀︎ shot near Taveita. _Vide_ illustration, Chapter X.

[46.] ALCELAPHUS COKEI.

Most parts of the plains. _Vide_ Chapter IV.

[47.] CONNOCHŒTES GNU.

Common in plains.

[48.] ÆPYCEROS MELAMPUS.

The beautiful pallah is everywhere common in the plains. Shot near Taveita. _Vide_ illustration, Chapter X.

[49.] GAZELLA GRANTI?

A Taita hunter showed the author a pair of horns which he had procured from the scene of a lion’s repast near Taveita, which seemed to belong to this graceful antelope.

[50.] CERVICAPRA BOHOR.

Common in plains, and apparently inhabiting mountains up to 10,000 feet.

[51.] NEOTRAGUS KIRKI?

_Vide_ illustration, _ante_.

This _Neotragus_ here illustrated was killed in Kilima-njaro at an altitude of over 11,000 feet. It apparently ranges up to 14,000 feet altitude in the dry season.

[52.] CEPHALOPUS MERGENS.

Met with in the grassy plains and near rivers.

[53.] ORYCTEROPUS ÆTHIOPICUS.

Common in the plains.