CHAPTER XIX 



THE PEINCE OF ANTELOPES 



Magnificence of the Koodoo — Still fairly abundant — Distribu- 

 tion in tlie interior — Still found in Cape Colony — In Soutb 

 Bechuanaland and other places — Live specimens seldom 

 seen in England — Specimens in Natural History Museum 

 — Description of the Koodoo Bull — Its characteristics — 

 Cows and Calves — Favourite ground — Uses of hide — Flesh 

 — General distribution in Africa — Native names — Its 

 independence of water — Koodoos in Khama's country. 



Among the familiar figures of the South African 

 interior the koodoo holds and has always held a 

 deservedly prominent place. Indeed, although those 

 magnificent beasts the eland, the roan and sable 

 antelopes, and the gemsbok may be said to stand 

 unchallenged among members of their race in any 

 part of the world, the majestic and stately koodoo in 

 shape, beauty, size of horns, and general nobility of 

 bearing is, even in Africa, without a superior among 

 the antelopes. I speak, of course, of the male koo- 

 doo, the female being hornless. Thanks mainly to 

 its shy and secluded habit, and its constant love of 

 bushy and forest fastnesses, the koodoo, notwith- 

 standing the incessant destruction of game during 

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