ROAN, SABLE, AND ORYX 341 



ings, makes the oryx a conspicuous beast, unless so far dis- 

 tant that the only effect is that of his general coloration. 

 When at a long distance, so that the movement of the tail 

 does not catch the eye, and the effect of the black and white 

 markings is minimized, the oryx is less boldly noticeable 

 than the bonte-quagga and big zebra. At night, if sideways 

 to us, they were rather less noticeable than the zebra, if 

 either could be seen at all. Oryx are sleek, handsome 

 beasts. We found them usually wary, difficult to approach, 

 and trusting to their noses, but especially to their eyes, for 

 safety. Yet, although ordinarily the oryx trusts to its eye- 

 sight, its eyes sometimes betray it; whereas its nose never 

 does if it can get the wind of a foe. The sense of smell is 

 usually the determining sense. Near the mouth of the Isiola 

 River an oryx which showed extraordinary tameness was ap- 

 proached to within fifty yards. It remained gazing stupidly 

 at the observer while he remained at this distance and in the 

 same position, which was on the lee side of the oryx. Then 

 he shifted his position to the windward so that his scent was 

 carried to the antelope. As soon as it received this warning 

 of the presence of a man it bolted to a safe distance. This 

 sort of visual stupidity is, however, quite unusual. They 

 are swift and enduring, but do not rank with the harte- 

 beest in either respect. 



Oryx are bold fighters. The bulls use their horns 

 chiefly for battle among themselves; but, as the cows have 

 them also, it is difficult to believe that they have been de- 

 veloped solely for sex conflict. A wounded bull which we 

 galloped down turned to bay and threatened a charge. It 

 uttered a grunt so angry and menacing that it could eas- 

 ily be called a growl. It defends itself effectively against 



