2 72 ANTELOPES 



The horns, which are absent in the females, have the general 

 characters of those of a reedbuck, inclining at first upwards and 

 backwards, and then bending somewhat suddenly in an upward and 

 forward direction ; they are ridged in front for about half their length, 

 and thus have long smooth tips. The record horn-length is i 3 inches, 

 and the shoulder-height about 33 inches. As regards colouring, it will 

 suffice to state that the streak down the middle of the face is deep 

 rich chestnut, while the light face -streaks are pure white, and the 

 general colour of the upper-parts deep cinnamon. There is no dark 

 flank-band. The weight is from 65 to 70 lb. 



The dibatag is a native of central Somaliland, where it inhabits 

 the eastern portion of the arid Haud plateau. In his note accom- 

 panying the original specimens Mr. Clarke remarked that dibatag 

 " have a very long thin tail, and, when they run, throw it up and over 

 towards the neck. The neck is very long and thrown back towards 

 the tail, so that the two look as if they would touch each other." It 

 was also mentioned that the hoofs, which are less markedly triangular 

 than in Speke's gazelle of the same country, are small in proportion 

 to the size of the animal. 



" These gazelles," writes Mr. Clarke, " live mostly among mimosa- 

 bushes, and browse off them and a bush called garrn. They also eat 

 durr grass, which grows 6 to 8 feet high. 



" They are to be found near Ber and Buroa Wells, in the Habr- 

 Gerhagis country ; but I believe have never been seen any closer to 

 the coast. The 45 th degree of longitude is about their extreme 

 western limit. They are numerous a few hours from Buroa Wells, 

 all through the Haud waterless plateau, down to within half a day of 

 Arderdu Wells, in the Marehan country, taking a south-by-east course. 



" In these parts they are common enough, but at the same time are 

 very local in their distribution ; their range apparently extending, as 

 it were, in a long narrow belt. They are generally met with in small 

 families from three to five, though I have seen as many as nine. 

 Dibatag are found far from water ; in fact, they can live through the 

 greatest drought without any. The females generally bring forth 

 their young in October and November, although, I think, in a dry 

 country like Somaliland no fixed time can be set down. I have, 

 however, seen thirty per cent of the bucks rutting in October ; and 

 the majority of females seem to bring forth their young in that 

 month." 



