268 ANTELOPES 



" Apparently, like many animals in Somaliland, this gazelle is 

 independent of water, for in that thirsty land little of the fluid is 

 obtainable, and the aoul is frequently met with many miles from any 

 place where an opportunity for allaying thirst is offered. The entire 

 country is so dry that all wild animals inhabiting it must have great 

 difficulty in procuring water ; and, with the exception of pools in the 

 brief rainy season, a supply can only be obtained by digging in the 

 dry beds of the rivers, a proceeding entirely beyond the power of a 

 ruminant. As a rule, the aoul is easy to approach within shooting 

 distance, that is, between one and two hundred yards, though some- 

 times it may be necessary to shoot farther than this. When the 

 animal is among bushes, it is comparatively easy to get quite near, if 

 the stalk is made with knowledge and judgment. Aoul can be dis- 

 tinguished for a long distance, the large white patch on the hind- 

 quarters showing very distinctly, and rendering them easily distinguish- 

 able from the other animals with which they may be associated. 



" This gazelle is possessed of great curiosity, and when it perceives 

 any unusual object, will stand motionless for a considerable time gazing 

 at it ; while even after its fears have gained the ascendancy, and it has 

 commenced to run, it will, after going a short distance, stop and turn 

 to look again at the cause of its alarm. Although large for a gazelle, 

 the aoul presents but a small mark, and unless the bullet strikes a vital 

 spot, it will probably escape. Even a broken leg does not appear to 

 incommode it much, nor hinder it from running at full speed on the 

 three that are sound. 



" In Somaliland the females apparently drop their fawns in April, 

 for in June, when I arrived south of the Haud beyond the Toyo plain, 

 many were seen that seemed from four to eight weeks old. These ran 

 by the side of their mothers, and appeared to have no difficulty in 

 keeping up with the herd, even when going at full speed." 



THE DAMA GAZELLE 



{Gazella dania) 



Addi'a, DONGOLESE ; Ariel, Sudani ; Riel, Dinka ; Mhorr OR 

 Mohr, Arabic, Morocco ; Koiigotong, Mandingo 



(Plate x, fig. 5) 



The gazelles locally known as the addra and the mhorr have been 

 generally regarded as specifically distinct from the dama ; but Mr. 



