THE BEATRIX ANTELOPE. 



" For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs 

 Close to the ground." 



Much Ado about Nothing, Act III., Scene I. 



Charming in outlines, pleasing in coloration, and 

 diminutive in size, the little beatrix oryx is remarkable 

 as being the smallest of its genus, and the only one 

 which occurs outside Africa. As far as is known it 

 appears to be exclusively an Arabian species ; for 

 although Col. Hamilton Smith observed in 1826 "we 

 have seen the head of one shot on the west side of 

 the Indus, in the deserts of the Mekran," the 

 statement requires confirmation and there may well 

 have been an error in locality. 



The beatrix antelope (Oryx beatrix) el walrush 

 and el bakrus of the Bahrein Arabs stands about 

 35 inches at the shoulder. The long horns attain 

 an average length of 25 inches, with a maximum of 

 27 inches. The general body colour is whitish, as 

 are also the ears and mane ; a blackish brown 

 triangle adorns the forehead, and on each cheek is a 

 larger patch of the same colour, uniting with its 

 fellow under the throat. A faint brown longitudinal 

 stripe runs between the belly and the flanks ; the 

 tail tassel is black, while on each fetlock a snowy 

 ring shows up in smart contrast to the brown hue of 

 the rest of the limb. 1 The coloration of the beatrix 



1. The foot of the beatrix thus appears to be encased in a dainty white 

 slipper, with a smart black toecap. 



