ROAN ANTELOPE 299 



company with eland, when the two kinds run off together on being 

 alarmed. 



" Roan antelope differ considerably from one another in colour, 

 some being of a light greyish or brownish shade, whilst others are 

 reddish roan or dark grey. When standing in an open plain with the 

 sun shining on them, they often look almost white, which accounts 

 for the name of white sable antelope by which they are known in 

 many native dialects. Like the sable antelope, the roan runs with 

 great speed and endurance, and, except in the case of cows heavy with 

 calf, cannot be run down with an ordinary South African shooting- 

 pony. I have had many a long chase after roan bull on the open 

 downs of Mashonaland, but never succeeded in overtaking one unless 

 it was wounded. After being chased for a mile or two, roan antelope 

 run with their mouths open, but, excepting in the case of cows heavy 

 with calf, which may come to a standstill at any moment, they will go 

 on running until they have tired out any but an exceptionally good 

 horse. The first calves are dropped in August, and the rest in 

 September and October. At first the little creatures are scarcely 

 distinguishable from very young sable calves ; but they are somewhat 

 lighter in colour with longer ears, and the incipient face-markings also 

 slightly different. 



" When living on open plains^ roan antelope are very keen-sighted, 

 and will not allow a mounted man to approach without a hard gallop ; 

 but if encountered in open forest in a district where they have not 

 been much persecuted, they will not run until the hunter is pretty 

 near them, and if not pressed will stop and look round at their 

 pursuer, often affording several good chances for a shot before finally 

 settling down to a steady run. When wounded, a roan antelope bull 

 is a fierce and savage animal, and if brought to bay is more prone 

 to charge than a sable antelope under like conditions. I have seen 

 several determined charges made by these animals, and have known 

 one to gore a horse through the thigh. They are also dangerous 

 antagonists if attacked by dogs, but although their shorter horns look 

 better adapted for use than the long curved weapons wielded by the 

 sable antelope, I have never seen such havoc wrought by them amongst 

 a pack of dogs as by the latter. When badly wounded they He down ; 

 and, when assegais are thrown at them, give vent to shrill squealing 

 cries, whilst striking at the shafts of the spears." 



Of the western race Major A. J. Arnold gives the following account : 

 " Although fairly common on the middle Niger and along the river 

 Benue towards Lake Tchad, I cannot discover that it is at all frequent 



