PELZELN'S GAZELLE 253 



PELZELN'S GAZELLE 



( Gazella pelzelni) 



Dhero, SOMALI 



(Plate ix, fig. 7) 



The lowlands of the Guban district of northern Somaliland form 

 the home of a gazelle slightly larger than the plateau species (about 

 25 inches at the shoulder), and further distinguished by the absence 

 of both the swelling and the black spot on the nose. Its colour is 

 also rather more rufous than that of Speke's gazelle, while the light 

 flank-band is distinct, and the dark one rufous brown, only slightly 

 deeper in tone than the back, and without any tendency to blackness. 

 The bands on the cheek are short and indistinct. The southern 

 limit of the species seems to be Laferug, north of the Golis range. 



" Pelzeln's gazelle," writes Mr. D. G. Elliot, " is usually met with on 

 dry and stony ground covered with low bushes, in such forbidding, 

 sterile country that it is difficult to imagine where, or in what manner, 

 it can obtain sufficient nourishment from the barren desert-like places 

 it selects for its habitation. It goes in small bands consisting of from 

 two or three to about a dozen head ; and when a single individual is 

 encountered it is usually an old buck. Eleven is the greatest number 

 I ever met with in one troop. 



" As a rule, Pelzeln's gazelle is not very wild, and one can generally 

 approach either single individuals or a scattered party sufficiently near 

 to make sure of a shot ; but, like all wild animals, where it is much 

 hunted it becomes wary and watchful. When a buck is seen alone, 

 it is not very difficult to make a successful stalk and approach closely ; 

 for, deprived of the companionship of the more watchful doe, he is less 

 alert to probable dangers. 



" This gazelle possesses much curiosity, the inclination to indulge 

 in which often costs its life, for, in the desire to ascertain what some 

 strange object may be, it delays its departure to a safer locality until 

 too late. It seems indifferent as to the presence of water, which is 

 absent from many localities inhabited by this gazelle. In the brief 

 rainy season, when showers are of daily occurrence, pools, it is true, 

 are formed in the cavities of the rocks, or in hardened places in the 

 soil, from which water can be obtained, perhaps, many days in 



