162 



SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



belly is white, sharply defined from the dark sides ; the 

 rump is also white, as well as the insides of the limbs and 

 the outsides of the lower half. A white blaze commences 

 between the horns, and spreads over the face to the tip of 

 the nose. The horns are curved outwards and backwards, 

 the terminal third slightly inwards and forwards, and 

 ringed with twelve or thirteen transverse ridges. They 

 resemble those of the Blesbok, but are much darker in 

 coloration. Length 12 inches to 16 inches ; record 16| 

 inches. Length of the head and body 5 feet ; tail about 

 18 inches, including the tuft of hair. Height at shoulder 

 about 3 feet 3 inches. Weight about 200 Ib. 



This antelope may be said to be extinct as a truly wild 

 animal, existing only in a semi-domesticated condition on 

 some farms in the Bredasdoop district of the Cape 

 Province belonging to the Albertyns and Myburgs. The 

 young are born during the months of August and 

 September. 



I think the least the Cape Provincial Government can 

 do is to proclaim a reserve for the preservation of this 

 animal, before it becomes totally extinct. 



Damaliscus albifrons. Blesbuck. Blesbok. 

 (Nunni of the Bechuana.) 



This species resembles the previous one, except that 

 the colour is slightly redder and the white rump patch is 

 smaller. Moreover, the outsides of the limbs below the 

 knees and hocks are not white, as in the Bontebok. The 

 white blaze on the forehead is divided by a brown line. 

 The horns are of a pale horn colour, or are brown with the 

 ridges of the rings horn colour, and not altogether black 

 as is the case with its almost extinct ally. Length, 12 to 



