Page:A voyage to Abyssinia (Salt).djvu/436

 A great variety of the antelope kind is to be met with. The largest of these are the kudoo, (agayen, T.) found also in the interior of the Cape;—the harte-beest, (wée'l, T. bohur A.) the spring-bok, (sassa, T.) and another very small species, little bigger than a hare, found commonly also at the Cape and Mosambique, called in Tigré "madoqua." Besides these are the wild goat, (taille budde, T. ebada fe-el, A.) and another species of antelope, (witil, T.) probably allied to the chamois, which is found on the highest parts of the cold and mountainous districts of Samen.

Several species of monkey abound throughout the wilder districts, the largest of which, (hevve T. gingero A.,) is nearly allied to those found in Arabia. Another smaller species, with a black face, is named alesteo, in the Tigré, and tota, in the Amharic language. The rest of the animals are as follows: the wild boar, (arowjah akul, T. eryeah, A.;) the porcupine; (cōnfus, T. zurt, A.;) a species of cavy; (gihé, T. ashkoko, A.;) nearly allied to that found at the Cape; a small grey species of hare, (muntilé T.,) considered as unclean by the Abyssinians; the squirrel, (shele el hehoot, T.;) the rat, (inchwa, T. ait, A.,) with which the fields are over-run, and an undescribed species of makis, or lemur, (faunkus T. gueréza A.,) of which an imperfect drawing has been given by Ludolf. This last animal is about the size of a cat, and is commonly seen among the branches of trees; it has a long tail, faintly striped black and white, with white bushy hair at the end; the hair on the body is long, and of a clear white colour throughout, except on the back, which is marked with a large oval spot of short hair, of the deepest black. The skins of these animals are brought out of Damot and Gojam, and are commonly found in the markets, selling at about half a dollar each, every man in Tigré wearing a piece of this skin as an ornament on his shield. When a number of them are sewed together, it forms a very splendid covering for a couch, which I never met with except in the house of the Ras: one of these was presented to me by the Ras himself, which is at present in the collection of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent. The hippopotamos, (gomari,) and the crocodile, (agoos,) which abound in the lakes, as well as principal rivers in the country, have been before mentioned. A great many other species of animals are doubtless to be found in the country; but the above list contains the names of all that I either saw or heard of, during my stay there.

Among the larger birds indigenous to the country, is a great variety of species of the genus falco; the most remarkable of which, are the two described and drawn under the directions of Mr. Bruce. The larger of these he has termed Golden Eagle, by way of distinction. This is classed among the vultures by Dr. Shaw, and is called the "bearded vulture," on account of the straitness of its bill; but its general appearance in a natural state, together with the vigour and animation which it displays, incline me to think it more nearly allied in the natural system to the eagles, and I should therefore be inclined to call it the African Bearded Eagle. The head of one, which I shot, most resembling that described by Mr. Bruce, differed in some slight respects from his drawing: the pupil of the eye was deep black; the irides sandy yellow; and an outer film, which it