158 RECORDS OF BIG GAME 
Horns of Gnu. From Mr. F. H. Barber’s specimen. 
The GNU or BLACK WILDEBEEST (Connochetes gnu). 
This southern species is the true gnu, which was formerly known to 
the Hottentots by that name, although, by the colonists, it is termed the 
black wildebeest. Its inferior size (height at shoulder about 3 ft. 10 ins.), 
the downward curvature of the horns at starting and their great 
expansion at the base, the white tail, the abundant fringe of long hair 
on the lower part of the chest and between the fore-legs, the upright 
mane, and the crest of hair on the face distinguish it from the brindled 
gnu. The general colour is uniform deep umber-brown, passing into 
black. Females are much smaller than males; and have the horns 
more slender and less expanded at the base. 
Distribution—The northern range of this species was approximately 
limited by the Vaal, or northern branch of the Orange River. At the 
time of the Boer War this gnu was represented by herds of a few 
hundred in the Orange River Colony and on Mr. C. D. Rudd’s estate 
near Cape Town. On the plains of the latter country, as well as 
on the Karus of Cape Colony, it was formerly found in vast herds, 
generally in company with quaggas. Fierce and treacherous in 
disposition, it was especially characterised by its habit of indulging 
in grotesque capers and frolics on the approach of strangers. 
Length on Breadth 
Races. of palm. Tip to Tip. Locality. Owner. 
264 TE 144 Orange River Colony Sir Edmund G. Loder, Bart. 
25 We 214 Do. Major P. A. Cox. 
25 6% 154 Do. A. Payne-Galiwey. 
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