WHITE-TAILED GNU 



Horns of White-Tailed Gnu. From Mr. F. H. Barber's specimen. 



WHITE-TAILED GNU (Connochcetes gnu). 



This southern species is the true gnu, being formerly known to the 

 Hottentots by that name, while, by the colonists, it is termed the black 

 wildebeest. Its inferior size (height at shoulder about 3 ft. 10 ins.), 

 the downward curvature of the horns at starting and their great 

 expansion at the base, the pure white tail, and the abundant fringe of 

 long hair on the chest and under-parts, serve at once to distinguish it 

 from the brindled gnu. The general colour is uniform deep umber- 

 brown, passing into black. Females are much smaller than males ; 

 and have the horns more slender and less expanded at the base. 



Distribution, The northern range of this species was approximately 

 limited by the Vaal, or northern branch of the Orange River. 

 Before the Boer war it was represented only by herds of a few 

 hundred head preserved in Orange River Colony. On the plains of 

 the latter country, as well as on the Karoos of Cape Colony, it was 

 formerly found in vast herds, generally in company with quaggas. 

 Fierce and treacherous in disposition, it was especially characterised 

 by its habit of indulging in grotesque capers and frolics on the 

 approach of strangers. 



