I04 ANTELOPES 



foregoing species by the great elevation of the horn-pedicle and the V 

 formed by the basal portion of the horns, which are sharply bent, at 

 first forwards, and then backwards. The general colour is reddish 

 brown, with the face (except between the eyes), chin, back of neck, 

 shoulders, thighs and tail blackish brown, while the lower part of the 

 rump has a conspicuous whitish or yellowish patch. The height 

 ranges from about 48 to 54 inches, or even more ; and the two longest 

 pairs of horns measure respectively 25^ and 26 inches. 



The following account of this species — often called by the Boers rooi 

 hartebeest,to distinguish it from the browner sassaby — is abbreviated from 

 one given by Mr. H. A. Bryden in Great and Small Game of Africa : — 



" Although individuals occasionally attain nearly 5 feet, the average 

 height may be put at about 4 feet. In shape and appearance this 

 hartebeest scarcely gives the idea of the extraordinary fleetness and 

 staying powers for which it is remarkable ; the humped and elevated 

 withers, peculiar drooping quarters, and heavy elongated head some- 

 what belying its powers of galloping. The stout horns, which average 

 about 20 inches over the curve, are strongly corrugated until near the 

 points. Springing from a high and prolonged frontal ridge, they rise 

 upwards for several inches, and then, bending slightly forwards, turn at 

 an abrupt angle sharply back. Those of old bulls are strong and 

 massive, and frequently a good deal worn and blunted at the tips ; 

 while those of cows are more slender. Hartebeests, even when 

 wounded and at bay, seldom, if ever, use their horns against man ; nor, 

 if they did so, would these weapons, from their shape, be of much 

 avail. Among themselves they may, however, be seen butting and 

 fighting, often down upon their knees like a pair of rams. The 

 eyes, set very high in the head, are reddish in hue, and from their 

 position command a wide field of vision. The general colour is bright 

 reddish brown, darkening considerably upon the back, where, in living 

 specimens, it has a curious purplish sheen ; while a noticeable patch of 

 yellowish white marks the rump on each side of the tail. The face is 

 black ; dark streaks also occur on the outer side of fore and hind legs ; 

 and there is a tuft or whorl of hair on each side of the face just beneath 

 the eye. The black well-tufted tail reaches below the hocks, and is 

 remarkable for a reddish tinge if the hair be held towards the light and 

 closely examined. The skin is in great demand among the Bechuana 

 tribes for making cloaks. 



" In former days hartebeests abounded in Cape Colony, where they 

 ranged to the extreme south. At the present day [1900] they are 

 only to be found south of the Orange river in the parched deserts of 



