48 SJOSTEDTS KILIMAND.TARO-MERU EXPEDITION. 2. 



'Among the herds of big game on the steppe the Crowned Lapwing (Stephani- 

 byx coronatus) is often seen. It is the most reliable guard for the antelopes. On the 

 way to Kiraragua I made the following notes : We had hardly entered on the real 

 grass steppe before we flushed some Crowned Lapwings which with irritating screams 

 and with light but powerful wing-strokes tumble round in the air. Their black, white 

 and yellowish brown plumage make their appearance in the air quite striking but 

 when they sit down and fold the whitish glistening wings they disappear at once 

 among the yellowish dry grass. This Lapwing is the most dreaded foe of the hunter 

 when he, on the steppe, stalks his wary prey. Cautiously he approaches the animals, his 

 steps get slower, his eyes follow every movement of the prey, and he has a strong hope that 

 he may reach near enough to shoot. Suddenly some Lapwings rise from the burnt 

 ground, in rapid flight they speed forward, rise in the air, tumbling hither and thither, 

 screaming and crying in the most penetrating way. This is the signal of alarm for 

 the wary animals of the steppe ! The grazing Grant Gazelles raise their heads, prick 

 up the ears and swing the tails in an uneasy manner. Some of them wheel round 

 and then at once the whole herd runs off over the vast steppe. Gnus and Zebras 

 follow soon, often pursued by the birds which screaming fling themselves like furious 

 among the running animals not becoming quiet before their proteges have safely dis- 

 appeared* (SJOSTEDT). 



In the later part of Oct. the Gazelles were sometimes much infested by larvae 

 of Hypoderma under the skin of the back. Even 30 to 40 such larvfe could be counted 

 in animals killed at that time* (SJOSTEDT). 



Oryx callotis THOMAS. 

 (PI. 3, fig. 3.) 



Oryx callotis THOMAS. SCLATER & THOMAS, Book of Antelopes, IV, p. 73. 

 Me.ru: 1 c? specimen and the skull of another from Ngare na nyuki, March 1906. 

 This Oryx is the wariest of all the antelopes of the steppe. It was not rare 

 and occurred sometimes in rather big herds at Ngare na nyuki. Sometimes single 

 specimens which were exceedingly shy, were seen on the steppe or in thin acacia 

 woods. It is very difficult to stalk and hard to kill, the very thick skin affording 

 good protection* (SJOSTEDT). 



Tragelaphus sylraticus meruensis n. subsp. 



Several specimens of Bushbuck have been collected by Prof. SJOSTEDT and in 

 consequence of their difference inter se they are described each separately. 



