112 Oxen 



Western race. An analogous instance is afforded by the bush -pigs, of 

 which the West African species is red, while the southern one is dull 

 grizzled brown. 



Distribi(tio7i. — The West African forest region, extending from the 

 north bank of the Congo, through the Gabun, Lower Guinea, Togo, 

 Ashanti, and Liberia to the coast districts of Sierra Leone ; in the interior 

 stated to extend up the Congo valley as far as Stanley Falls. 



Habits. — The Congo buffalo is described as being very shy and difficult 

 to approach, for which reason, as well as on account of the unhealthy 

 nature of the climate of most of its habitat, but little is known of its mode 

 of life. They apparently prefer districts covered with thick hush, especially 

 narrow valleys, to more open country ; and in such covert remain con- 

 cealed during the hottest part of the day. Hills of about a thousand feet 

 in height are their favourite resorts, and from these they descend before 

 daylight to drink, after which they gradually make their way up again, 

 feeding as they go. Although at times associating in herds, it is stated 

 that they are more commonly found in pairs, or even solitary. Although 

 harmless when undisturbed, native reports say they are given to charge 

 when wounded, and the experience of Major Arnold points to the prob- 

 ability of this being correct. 



('. Lake Tchad Race — Bos caffer brachvceros 



Bubalus bmchyccros., Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 587 (18-^7), List 

 Mamm. Brit. Miis. p. 153 (184:;), Ami. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 4, vol. xii. 

 p. 499 (1873), xiii. p. 258 (1874), Cat. Vngulata Brit. Miis. p. 24 (1852), 

 Cat. Ruminants Brit. Mas. p. 10 (1872), Hand -list Ruminants Brit. Mi/s. 

 p. 81 (1873); Blyth, Proc. Zoo/. Soc: 1863, p. 157. 



Bos brac/iyceros, Sundevall, A.'. Svrnsh/ Let. Ak. Hand/, for 1844, p. 1^3 

 (1846). 



