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RECORDS OF BIG GAME 



Horns of Male Springbuck, from Mr. F. H. Barber's specimen. 



SPRINGBUCK (Antidorcas euchore). 



Although nearly allied to the gazelles, both in bodily form, color- 

 ation, and the shape of the horns, the springbuck presents a peculiarity 

 entitling it to be regarded as the representative of a genus by itself. This 

 peculiarity is the presence of a fold, or narrow pouch, running down the 

 middle of the hinder part of the back, and lined with long pure white hairs. 

 In periods of excitement this pouch is capable of being turned partially 

 inside-out, when the long white hairs are erected, and give a totally 

 different appearance to this region of the animal. Owing to the dark 

 nose-streak stopping short at the level of the eyes, the springbuck has 

 more white on the face than is the case with the majority of gazelles ; and 

 the white on the rump, which includes the tail and joins that of the 

 middle of the back, also occupies a larger area. Height at shoulder, 

 30 inches. 



Distribution. The plains of Southern Africa, extending in the central 

 districts of the continent to about latitude 20 S., where its limits 

 are defined by the forests to the south of the Mabebi River ; in the 

 west ranging as far north as Mossamedes and Benguela in Southern 

 Angola, and in the east at least up to the Limpopo. Although now 

 never found in the countless thousands which formerly swarmed over 

 the plains of the Transvaal and Bechuanaland, springbuck are still 



