Vernacular Name:—Gussuli of Somalis (Swayne).
Size of M. kirki. Proboscis much more elongated. General colour coarsely grizzled greyish fawn, very much as in Kilimanjaro examples of M. kirki. No rufous on the sides, and that on the limbs very dull. Crest much mixed with black. Backs of ears greyish fawn.
Skull with the nasals even more shortened than in M. kirki, and the muzzle even longer and slenderer. In fact the whole appearance of the skull shows that the proboscis is much more developed than in any other member of the group. Front of the nasals only about level with the back of the middle premolar. Premaxillæ short, not nearly reaching the nasals. Basal length (male) 3·6 inches, greatest breadth 2·08, muzzle to orbit 2·04, tip of nasals to tip of premaxillae 1·56.
Horns slender, those of the only adult Somali male we have seen—that presented to the British Museum by Mr. Bonham Christie—longer than usual, just over 3½ inches.
Hab. Plateau of Central Somaliland.
Günther’s Dik-dik, as Thomas has named this species, after the distinguished naturalist who has lately vacated the post of Keeper of Zoology in the British Museum, is the third member of the genus found in Somaliland, but, as a rule, it inhabits a different district from M. swaynei and M. phillipsi, though Capt. Swayne thinks that in some cases their ranges may overlap. It belongs to the long-snouted section of the genus, like the two preceding species, but has its nose still more lengthened and proboscis-like.
Fig. 30. Skull of Madoqua guentheri (side view, reduced).
(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 324.)
Fig. 30 a. Skull of Madoqua guentheri (from above, reduced).