2o6 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



Bombay, but originally obtained from some port on tbe Red Sea or the 

 Persian Gulf. The following account of the female is given by the late 



Dr. Gray : — 



" The specimen is not half the size of the gemsbok trom the Cape, and 

 is immediately known from it by the distribution ot its colours. In form and 

 size it resembles the true oryx (O. Icucoryx) ; but it differs in the straight- 

 ness of the horns, the size and form of the cheek-spot, and especially in the 

 dark colour of the legs and the well-marked white ring around the fetlock- 

 joint just above the hoof The hair is whorled on the middle ot the 

 haunches, as in the rest of the genus, and the hairs ot the back in tront ot 

 the withers are directed forwards. 



"The animal is intermediate between these species ; it has the straight 

 horns of O. ga-zclla and the plain colour of O. Icucoryx ; but its dark legs 

 and peculiar white feet at once separate it from either." 



The writer has not met with any account of this handsome little oryx 

 having ever been seen by an Englishman in the wild state. 



THE WHITE ORYX 



(Oryx /cucoryx) 



The claims of this species to a place in the present volume are some- 

 what slight, and its introduction among the fauna of South-Western Asia 

 must be regarded purely as a provisional matter. It is a very distinct 

 species of the genus, agreeing approximately in size with the beisa ot 

 North-East Africa, its height at the shoulder being about 40 inches. The 

 horns are, however, of a totally different shape, being long, reciu-ved, and 

 scimitar-shaped. And there is an equally noticeable difference in colora- 

 tion, the general hue being yellowish or reddish-white, relieved in places 

 by chestnut-brown. This chestnut tint shows itself chiefly on the neck. 



