SITUTUNGA 189 



in the water, as it now docs on the mainland. Since the 

 removal of the islanders, however, which was completed 

 in 1909, its habits have become changed, and it is multi- 

 plying very quickly in the absence of all enemies. 



Major R. Meinertzhagen, F.Z.S., visited Bugalla from a 

 steamer during the war in October 1915, and examined 

 several Situtunga, finding interesting differences from the 

 mainland type ; the horns diverged more widely. But 

 the specimens from the much smaller and more isolated 

 islet of Nkosi showed further deviation to such an extent 

 that they are given sub-specific rank.^ 



The feet show a slight return from the specialized 

 narrow hoof of the type, for in the Nkosi animals the 

 hooves are proportionately broader, and in a young animal 

 were " no longer than one would expect to find in a young 

 bushbuck of his age." 



The horns also are more like those of a bushbuck, and 

 the colour of the adult male was noted as " of a uniform 

 dull mouse colour and not a dark brown " ; the animals 

 are also larger than the typical mainland forms. 



It is remarkably interesting that this change in structure 

 can be noted together with the change of habits ; the 

 Nkosi animals are losing the high specialization, correlated 

 with the peculiar mode of life among swamps, which 

 characterizes the Situtunga discovered by Speke. 



The Situtunga could frequently be heard barking at 

 night, the call being somewhat like that of the bushbuck 

 but distinct from it, rather more muffled and less dog- 

 like. 



The following may be cited as evidence of the effect of 

 the removal of all inhabitants from the islands. 



Nsadzi, the long narrow isle lying due south of Entebbe, 

 was free from this antelope when inhabited, according to 

 native testimony, although the densely forested eastern 

 end provides ample shelter. When I visited it in 1914 with 



^ Proceedings of the Zoological Society, June, 1916, pp. 375-81. 



