178 PECORDS OF BIG GAME 
SABLE ANTELOPE (Hippotragus niger). 
It is a moot point among hunters whether the sable or roan 
antelope, the eland, kudu, gemsbok, or waterbuck is the worthiest 
reward of the hunter’s skill. On the whole, perhaps, although each is 
entitled to warm admiration, it may be conceded that the Sable Antelope 
is, for its beauty, magnificence of horn, splendour of coat, and supremely 
noble port, not to be excelled by any antelope that walks the earth. 
Every man who has shot a good Sable Antelope bull, from Cornwallis 
Harris—who, sixty years since, discovered, shot, and named the first 
specimen—downwards, must well remember the glow of pride and 
satisfaction with which he contemplated the magnificent form stretched 
at his feet. It is a pleasure to know that the Sable is still abundant 
in parts of Eastern Mashonaland, and thence towards the coast. A 
wounded Sable Antelope is a somewhat dangerous animal, and should 
be approached with caution. 
HEIGHT at shoulder, 4 feet 6 inches. 
Distribution.—South-Western Matabeleland, in the neighbourhood of the 
Ramokwebani, Shashani, and Samookwe rivers (tributaries of the 
Shashi). Scarce along the waggon-road from Tati to Zambesi ; 
sparingly along the Chobe River. In the broken country to the 
south of the Victoria Falls ; Manica plateau, north of the Zambesi, 
its true home; Mashonaland and Matabeleland (F. C. Selous) ; 
Nyassaland (Crawshay) ; and Central East Africa (Maji Chumbi, 
Gulu Gulu, and banks of the river Wami). 
Length on Circum- 
front curve. ference. Tip to Tip. Habitat. Owner. 
-46 ee: ... | Eastern Border, W. Russell Bowker. 
| Transvaal 
454 9} 12} S.E. Mashonaland | J. G. Millais. 
