388 



ZOOLOGY 



{Cobus defassa), Thomas's kob (Cobus thomasi), the topi, or bastard 

 hartebeest (Damaliscus), the reedbuck, the oribi, and the eland. 

 The most remarkable in appearance amongst all these is perhaps the 

 waterbuck (Cobus defassa). It is closely allied to the South African 

 waterbuck ((7. ellipsiprymnus), but has a tendency to be much redder 

 in the colour of its coat, especially on the head, which in some specimens 

 is vinous red and bright chestnut, with bold white markings. The horns, 

 above all, are superb. (.)ne pair we got was thirty-six inches measured 



238. HOKNS OB" COBUS DEFASSA (?) FKOM THE SEllLIKI VALLEY 



along the curve. I give an illustration of the head of one of these 

 magnificent waterbuck. In this particular case the horns were over 

 thirty-two inches in length. It was one of the most beautiful sights to 

 be seen in Africa to watch a herd of these fine creatures in the valley 

 of the Semliki Kiver. They had but little fear of man, so much so that 

 one could walk about amongst them almost as freely as through a herd 

 of deer in a park. They were moving slowly along, grazing, in thin, 

 short grass which flowered in remarkable white flossy plumes.. The 

 waterbuck were very red in colour, with black points and touches of 

 white about the bod^^; the thin grass through which they moved was- 



