1892. 



THE ANTELOPES OF SOMALI-LAND. 259 



Besides these two aberrant Gazelles, at least three members of 

 the typical genus Gazella are found in Northern Somali-land. These 

 are the common Gazelle of the coast [Gazella pelzelni), the Flabby-nosed 

 Gazelle of the interior (G. spekei), and the Soemmerring's Gazelle 

 (G. scemmervingi). The ordinary Gazelle of the coast, known to the 

 natives as " Dero," is a close ally of the Dorcas Gazelle, and other 

 typical forms. It seems to be abundant all over the low northern 

 sea-board of Somali-land, which extends some 30 or 40 miles into the 

 interior. On reaching the elevated plateau which borders this 

 district on the south, the short-coated and brightly-coloured Gazella 

 pelzelni is replaced by the long-coated and duller-coloured Gazella 



Fig. 2. — Clarke's Gazelle, Ammodorcas darkei (Reduced from Proc. Zool. Soc, 1891, pi. xxi.). 



spekei, which is further distinguished by the loose, flabby skin which 

 covers the nose. 



The habits of these two Gazelles, according to Captain Swayne, 

 are nearly similar. They go about in moderate-sized herds of from six 

 to fifteen in number, and keep to stony or sandy undulating ground, 

 which is thinly dotted over with mimosas. 



But the finest of the true Gazelles in Somali-land is the Soemmer- 

 ring's Gazelle, known to the natives as " Aoul," which attains to 

 large size and proportions in this district. Five years ago, Captain 

 Swayne tells us, when staying in quarters at Bulhar, he remembers 

 seeing the Aoul, from his bungalow at that port, grazing on the 

 maritime plain. Owing to the persecution of sportsmen they have 



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