May 1897. East African Collection of Mammals — Elliot. 135 



when frightened, and the density of the forest in which it 

 delights affords every means for escape. Frequently a number 

 of does accompany one buck, and I suppose he secures as la"rge 

 a harem as he is able to maintain. The females are without 

 horns, and are smaller and of slighter build than the males. 

 Specimens of this animal are very scarce in collections, in fact I 

 know of no Institution save the Field Museum which possesses 

 a full series from babyhood to adult age to represent the species. 

 The skin is not easy to preserve, the hair coming out on the 

 slightest provocation. 



Dorcotragus megalotis (Menges). 



Dorcotragus megalotis. Baira Antelope. NsLtWe name Baira. 



9 ad. "Nasr Hablod," near Hargeisa. 



9 juv. '-Nasr Hablod," near Hargeisa. 



This beautiful and very rare antelope was only met with at 

 one place by any member of my party. On three successive 

 days Mr. Akeley saw a small band on one of the peaks known 

 as Nasr Hablod, or the Virgin's Breast, about half way between 

 our camp at Hullier, and Hargeisa. It would seem to be strictly 

 a mountain species, at home on the rocky cliffs and deep defiles 

 of high peaks, running at full speed over precipitous places with 

 a sureness of foot and certainty of step that would seem wonder- 

 ful for an animal to possess, if you did not know the peculiar 

 shape of the hoof, and how admirably it is adapted for clinging 

 to steep inclines as well as for guarding against shocks to the 

 body when making long leaps downwards. The hoof is of an 

 entirely different shape from that of the Klipspringer, Alikud of 

 the Somalis [Oreotragus sylvator), in which genus the describer 

 of this species placed it, but it is equally well padded although 

 in a different way, nor does it rest upon the ground in a like 

 manner. The Klipspringer stands entirely upon its toes, so to 

 speak, that is on the tips of the hoofs, these being vertical with 

 the ends only touching the ground. The hoof of the Baira has a 

 wide spread, and the two halves are narrow in front and pointed. 

 The pad extends below the hoof proper and swells out bc^iind, 

 forming a perfect cushion on which the animal walks and runs, 

 keeping the hoof, unless at its extreme point, free of the ground. 

 At my request Mr. Akeley has given me the following account 

 of the capture of the specimens brought back by us: 



"I had killed an Oryx, and sent my gun bearer to camp for a 

 camel to transport the carcass back, and leaving my shikari to 



