GRACEFUL AFRICAN ANTELOPES 201 



ance; for it is extremely suspicious, curious, yet shy, and timid, though 

 irritable. 



\\'hen frightened by any strange object, it begins to whisk its 

 long white tail with strange rapidity, then takes a sudden leap into 

 the air, and alighting on the ground, begins to paw and curvet like a 

 frisky horse. It and its neighbors then chase each other in circles at 

 their utmost speed; and when they halt to inspect the intruder, some 

 of the bulls will often engage one another in the most violent manner, 

 dropping on their knees each time they come in collision. Finally, 

 they wheel around, kick up their heels, give their tails a final flourish, 

 and scamper across the plain in a cloud of dust, as if pursued by some 

 torturing demon! 



The hunter avails himself of the curiosity of the gnoo, as the 

 Eskimo ddes of that of the seal, to bring about its capture. He hoists 

 a red rag on a stick or on the muzzle of his gun, and throwing him- 

 self on the ground, awaits the result of his stratagem. At first the 

 gnoo rushes ofif at full speed, as if seized with some sudden fit ; but 

 soon its curiosity prevails over its fear. It turns ; it trots towards the 

 unusual object; it retires; it wheels round and round; it draws nearer; 

 and at last advances close enough for the hunter to deliver a mortal 

 shot. 



The Brindled Gnoo. — There is another species of this remark- 

 able animal known as the brindled gnoo. Slightly larger than the ordi- 

 nary variety, it stands some four feet six inches high at the shoulder, 

 and is about nine feet eight inches in extreme length. Other char- 

 acteristics distinguish it. The neck is not arched, but the withers 

 are elevated. The nose is aquiline and covered with coarse black hair. 

 The muzzle is broad and square with large hanging nostrils. The 

 horns are black, placed horizontally on the head with the points turned 

 upwards and then acutely inwards. The neck carries a long and 

 flowing mane which extends beyond the withers. The chin is covered 

 with a bristly black beard descending to the breast. The eyes, too, 

 are peculiar; they are small, black and piercing and mounted very 

 high in the head. In contrast with the common variety, the tail is 

 black and flowing, reaching to the ground. The general color is a 

 dirty dun or brownish gray, variegated with obscure streaks or 



