96 



THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND 



'2 )» 



Measurements. — The following are the measurements of an 

 adult male shot at the foot of the Golis Range in British 

 Somaliland : 



Head and body 

 Tail .... 



„ (with terminal hairs) 

 Height at shoulder . 

 Round the body 

 Horns : 



Length on front curve 2'j\ 



„ straight ...... 22 



Tip to tip ........ io| 



Circumference at base ..... O^w „ 



This is a fair average head, Rowland Ward records a 

 pair of horns, the property of Mr. Norman B. Smith, 35^^ in. in 

 length. 



Distribution. — The Lesser Kudu is found in suitable localities 

 throughout Somaliland and as far south as the Tana River, south of 

 which it does not appear to be found. It lives in the thick bush 

 country, being very partial to those localities where the Sansivieria 

 abounds. 



Habits. — The Lesser Kudu is either seen singly or in small 

 herds of three to five individuals. Those seen singly are invariably 

 males ; sometimes two young males will be seen together. They 

 are not difficult to approach owing to their relying so much on 

 their coloration for protection. In the dry bush country it is not 

 always easy to differentiate between them and the dried-up bush, 

 so still and erect do they stand. A male Lesser Kudu will some- 

 times allow one to walk up to within ten yards or so before he jumps 

 up and, with one or two graceful leaps and bounds, clearing any 

 obstacle six feet or more in height, gallops or trots away. In the 

 thick aloe bush they rely a great deal on jumping, and I have seen 

 a frightened buck clear a bush well over six feet in height. When 

 disturbed, they make a peculiar barking noise. I have heard the 

 females make this noise on several occasions, but I cannot say 

 whether the males also make it. They are sometimes found near 

 water, while others inhabit quite waterless districts, such as the 

 bush country bordering the Haud. 



