THE TOPI HARTEBEEST 

 Damalisous jimela, Matsoh. 



Somali name, Topi 



Description. — The general colour of this small and beautiful 

 hartebeest is purplish brown, the coat being always very glossy. 

 The forehead, nose, and lower lip are black and there are also black 

 markings on the upper part of the forelegs and thighs. In size it 

 is no bigger than the lesser kudu, but is more heavily built than 

 the latter. The horns, which are stout, and more or less lyre- 

 shaped, are found in both males and females. 



Measurements. — Unfortunately I never took the measure- 

 ments of my Somali specimen. 



Distribution. — I shot the Topi on the north bank of the 

 Juba River, opposite Yonte, in 1902. At that time there were 

 several small herds there, and also on the south bank in British 

 territory. How far north it extends, however, I have been unable 

 to ascertain. The farthest point westwards that I have shot it is 

 at the base of the Nandi escarpment, near the north-eastern shores 

 of the Victoria Nyanza. 



Habits. — The Topi 1 have never seen in large herds — in point 

 of fact, seldom more than twenty or thirty individuals together — 

 this is what I frequently saw on both banks of the Juba River, but 

 possibly, where the grazing is superior, they are to be found in large 

 herds. Like other hartebeests, their staying power is marvellous. 



59 



