KUDU (STREPSICEROS KUDU). 95 



KUDU (Strepsiceros kudu). 



Native Names. 



Chinyanja Ngoma. Chisenga .... Mpurupuru. 



Chiyao Ndandala. Chilala Shambolola. 



Chikunda Nzilowa. Chibisa Mpurupuru. 



Zulu (Ngoni) . . . Lichangaroro. Chiwemba. . . . Kaloko. 



Chitonga Ng'oma. 



Food. 

 Leaves of Msatsi (castor oil). Tobacco leaves, maize, Mapira. Leaves of 

 Bwazi. Grass. 



Certain small shoots growing under trees (no native name). 

 Also chew Konje (aloes) presumably to get their moisture. 



Spoor. 



That of the female shorter and more cobby than that of the male. 



The spoor of the animal whose head is shown in the second illustration was with- 

 out doubt the smallest we have seen of a full-grown male. 



We are inclined to think that the largest horns are not generally grown by the 

 biggest buck, and that a small foot generally accompanies a big horn. 



Habitat. 

 Hilly, steep and stony country, also thick bush. Occasionally come across in 

 dambo country, but this is unusual. 



Habits. 



Very shy and difficult to find as they conceal themselves well in the foliage and 

 shade and are possessed of very acute senses. 



The females (which are hornless) always scout for the males, and the latter are 

 difficult to approach without being seen by the females, and these give the alarm by 

 barking when they see anyone. It is, moreover, excessively difficult to approach 

 noiselessly in such country as thick bush or over a steep stony scree. 



Although this animal is commoner in Central Africa than one would at first 

 suppose, he is seldom shot owing to the difficult country he lives in and his exceeding 

 wariness. Fifty-five inches on curve might be considered a good head. 



