THE SABLE ANTELOPE 1 35 



nition in the darkness, though one would imagine 

 that so well-armed a beast need fear few enemies. 

 The conspicuous hues of this great antelope may 

 rather be "warning colours," impressing its powerful 

 frame in distinctest detail on the retina of any would- 

 be afrressor. Besides, Gordon Cummino- has shown 

 that the sable feeds by daylight also ; he records 

 that on October 23rd, 1847, he detected a herd 

 feeding "at an early hour" and found others pastur- 

 ing at dawn on October 31st. Surely an old buck, 

 black as night and displaying his ample proportions 

 to the utmost by the proud carriage natural to 

 this antelope, would be conspicuous enough when 

 crossing a wide stony valley or standing against a 

 brilliant background of protea scrub as tall as himself. 

 Similarly, a group of sable resting at midday far 

 from cover (their habit when not much hunted) and 

 rollino^ like horses turned out to ^rass as the hot 

 red dust drifts over them would be visible far and 

 wide : as also their large and very business-like 

 horns — trusty weapons of defence. When on the 

 move sable file off in a strin^ throuoh the bush : in 

 galloping their arched necks and swinging tails 

 doubtless give them a most spirited appearance. It 

 may here be mentioned that this antelope occurs 

 also in British East and Central Africa, being found 

 in the unhealthy country of the Rabai district; it 

 also occurs in German East Africa, near Tanga. 

 Harris has left a charming picture of wild life in 



