THE BEISA ANTELOPE. 



" Still the same burning sun, no cloud in heaven, 

 The hot air quivers, and the sultry mist 

 Floats o'er the desert with a show 

 Of distant waters, mocking their distress." 



An immense plain, ocean-like in its expanse, 

 baked and cracked by the fierce African sun, dotted 

 with anthills, and encumbered with a scraggy growth 

 of bushes and dry harsh grass. Here and there a 

 clump of parasol-topped mimosas give some variety 

 to the landscape ; brilliant coloured rocks of every 

 tint add intensity to the picture ; far in the blue 

 distance, shimmering in the heat haze, rises the 

 conical peak of a snow-capped mountain, refreshing 

 to the eye amid the heat of Africa. 



In spite of its inhospitable appearance, the vast red 

 steppe is a veritable naturalist's paradise. Near by 

 a few coursers run plover-like over the flinty surface ; 

 hawks and eagles swoop on outstretched pinions 

 over the flats, casting shadows of inky blackness; 

 ground squirrels pop in and out of their holes, or 

 sit bolt upright in marmot fashion to stare at 

 passers-by. A few mongooses patter with snaky 

 undulations about the bases of the anthills, thrusting 

 their short muzzles into or under everything, and 

 continually squeaking in a low tone. A troop of 

 Grant's gazelle, long-horned and red-coated, are 



