496 



THE CLOVEN-HOOFED ANIMALS. 



the heavy bovine forms of the family. This group 

 comprises large, stout, almost clumsy Antelopes, 

 with high withers and sloping backs, shapeless, 

 elongated, broad-muzzled heads, short necks, stout 

 limbs and doubly curved horns, placed on the 

 frontal ridge and existing in both sexes. 

 The Hartebeest The south African Hartebeest of the 

 of South Africa Boers, called Kama by the Bechuanas 

 Described. (Bubalis caama), is distinguished from 

 its relatives by its longer head and the stronger 

 horns, bent in more acute angles, its proportionately 

 smaller ears and its color. The horns are very stout 

 at their roots, short, and marked by knotty excres- 

 cences about sixteen in number; from their bases 

 they at first ascend parallel to each other, then they 

 curve slightly forward, and in the last third of their 

 length again turn outward and backward at nearly 



hours, standing in the shadow cast by tree trunks or 

 the gigantic Ant-hills which are situated invariably 

 in sunny spots, and thus the animal may long escape 

 the detection of watchful eyes by its persistent re- 

 pose and the choice of a background similar in color 

 to itself." Notwithstanding the ungainly shape and 

 the ugly, shapeless head, which give the Kama a 

 striking and clumsy appearance as it strides along, 

 it still produces a majestic impression, which is at 

 its best when the animal falls into a gallop. Active, 

 like any other Antelope, it often delights in queer 

 leaps and antics and not infrequently indulges in 

 strange pranks. 



Hartebeests which are under human care from 

 early youth become extremely tame; they follow 

 their keeper about, take bread and tidbits out of his 

 hand and signify their affection for him in various 



THE RIETBOK, OR REED ANTELOPE. This African species of the Antelope 



marshes, such as shown in the picture. It is of strung build, fleet of foot and has curved hor 



ts preference for reed-grown 

 {Reduncus cleotragus.) 



right angles; the horns have very sharp points. The 

 color of this Antelope is a beautiful, light cinnamon- 

 brown. In former times the Hartebeest was fre- 

 quent in northern Cape Colony, but incessant per- 

 secution has caused it to retreat across the Orange 

 river. It is found in considerable numbers only to 

 the north of settlements or beyond the localities 

 frequented by hunters; and in the interior of the 

 eastern half of Africa in suitable regions it is among 

 the commonest of the Antelopes. Schweinfurth 

 found it to be one of the most frequent inhabitants 

 of the Bongo and Niam-Niam country. " Most fre- 

 quently," says he, " one meets troops from five to 

 ten in number in the uninhabited wildernesses of the 

 frontiers. In cultivated countries the animal prefers 

 the light forests of bushes in the neighborhood of 

 river valleys, rarely, however, entering the open low- 

 lands. It is in the habit of resting during the noon 



and manifold ways. Unfortunately, these beautiful 

 relations between Man and beast do not last long; 

 for as soon as they become conscious of their 

 strength, the animals, especially the bucks, exhibit 

 the innate pugnacity of their tribe and generally 

 display a special animosity and the greatest vicious- 

 ness against those to whom they have previously 

 been most attached. Their flesh is esteemed, as it 

 is among the most savory meats yielded by the 

 Antelope family. The fur is made into rugs, the 

 tanned hide into straps and harness, and the horns, 

 on account of their hardness and lustre, into all 

 kinds of vessels and ornaments. 



THE REED ANTELOPES. 



The Reed Antelopes (Redunca), like the preceding 

 species, also resemble both the Gazelles and the 

 Oxen in some respects. They have large or medium- 



