THE greatp:r kudu 



Strepsiceros kudu 



Somali name, Godir, Ghorialeh 



Description. — The correct Somali names for the Kudus seem 

 to give rise to a good deal of confusion, so I will explain them 

 here. "Godir " is the name applied to the males of both the Greater 

 and Lesser Kudus, and " Aderyo " for the females of both species. 

 The distinctive name for the male of the Greater Kudu is 

 " Ghorialeh " {i.e. possessor of wood), whereas that for the male of 

 the Lesser Kudu is "Dar 'ad" {i.e. white side). " Arreh" {i.e. possessor 

 of spots) is the general name for the Lesser Kudu of both sexes. 

 The Greater Kudu is the grandest of all antelopes, and the largest 

 of the Somali antelopes. It is a magnificent animal, and is seen 

 to perfection surrounded by the delightful scenery of its natural 

 habitat. Whether standing erect on the mountain side or quietly 

 grazing in the valleys, or dashing through the bushes with its 

 horns thrown well back and its head thrown forward, or trotting 

 leisurely along the tracks he has himself made on the rough hill- 

 side, he bears himself like a monarch. The Greater Kudu bull 

 stands from 4 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft. at the shoulder. He possesses 

 long spiral horns which round the curve may reach a length of 

 5 ft. — the longest Somaliland specimen measured by me was 

 6i\ in. round the curve. The stripes on the Greater Kudu vary 

 considerably in distinctness, although their number is fairly 

 constant. There are usually seven more or less distinct stripes 

 on each side, each of which corresponds to its fellow on the 

 opposite side, although on one side any one stripe may be less 

 distinct than its fellow of the opposite side. The second, third, 

 fourth, and seventh or last are more often permanent and distinct 

 on both sides than the others, which may be absent or only 



faintly marked on one or the other side. 



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