GRACEFUL AFRICAN ANTELOPES 200 



have given rise to the fabulous story of the unicorn. It is one of the 

 most magnificent animals in the universe, and fortunately is still com- 

 mon in the interior. About the size of a small ass, the gemsbok, as it 

 is more commonly known, is of about the same ground color, with a 

 black stripe down the back and on each flank, with legs variegated 

 with black bands, and a white face marked with the figure of a black 

 noseband and head-stall, imparting altogether to the animal the 

 appearance of being in half-mourning. The full black tail literally 

 sweeps the ground. A mane reversed, and a tuft of flowing black 

 hair on the breast and the slender straight horns common to both 

 sexes, complete the picture of this beautiful creature. The gemsbok 

 is a powerful and dangerous antagonist, charging viciously, and 

 defending itself, when hard pressed, with wonderful intrepidity and 

 address. Its skeleton has not infrequently been found locked in that 

 of a lion — the latter having been transfixed by its formidable horns, 

 in a conflict which has proved fatal to both the combatants. 



The Spring Buck. — A still smaller antelope is the spring buck 

 and once hunted, never to be forgotten. When frightened and 

 running away these elegant creatures take extraordinary bounds, 

 rising with curved backs high into the air as if about to take flight and 

 they invariably clear a road or beaten track in this manner, as if their 

 natural disposition to regard man as an enemy induced them to mis- 

 trust even the ground upon which he had trod. 



These exquisite creatures are extremely obedient to a leader seem- 

 ingly elected by them and may often be seen following him through 

 complicated evolutions, reminding the spectator of a cavalry review 

 with ostriches standing gravely about like general officers. This of 

 course occurs only when they have no suspicion of a foreign and hostile 

 presence. The' male spring buck stands some two feet eight inches high 

 ai the shoulder. His head and face are white like a lamb's, the horns 

 are black and strong, the tips turned inward and generally either for- 

 ward or backward and having about twenty complete rings. The 

 general color of the hair is a yellow dun w^ith a w^hite croup consist- 

 ing of long hairs which can be erected or depressed at pleasure. The 

 belly, throat and inside of le.i^s are white, separated from the dun bv 

 a broad rich chestnut band along the flanks, another along the edges 



