Topi 



They are difficult to approach, but as they 

 inhabit more bushy country than the hartebeest 

 " of commerce," they can be more easily stalked. 

 They also have sentries posted out, but are not so 

 careful. It is rather hard sometimes to get close 

 to them, as, there being trees about, they are apt 

 to spot one first and then disappear, after having 

 had a good look at one before they are seen 

 themselves behind a bush. I fancy in that case 

 they do not give one a shot again, but clear 

 straight away. 



They are found in tens or so, and in big herds. 



They are very common in Jubaland, and swarm 

 on the Anglo-German boundary, near Lake 

 Victoria. Mine I got near Mohoroni, on the 

 Uganda railway, where they are fairly common. 

 The country there is long grass — which is very 

 wetting — sparsely dotted with thorn bushes and 

 trees. 



The topi also bounds when he moves, like a 

 hartebeest. 



The purple markings on the skin make them 

 quite distinguishable when one first sees them, 

 and they are rather striking-looking. Also the 

 purple mask helps to set off the otherwise some- 

 what ordinary - looking head and horns, and 

 should be preserved, as is, of course, my in- 

 variable rule. 



Fifteen inches is an average head. 



147 



