166 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



bent obliquely outwards, with an upward and back- 

 ward curve. Length, from 15 to 17 inches; record, male 

 17^ inches, female 16 inches ; height at shoulder, about 

 3 feet 9 inches. 



The Sessaby replaces the Blesbok in Rhodesia, Northern 

 Transvaal and Eastern Transvaal and Portuguese East 

 Africa. The Zoo has had examples from the Sabi Game 

 Reserve. It has the reputation of being the fastest 

 antelope in South Africa. 



Genus CONNOCHAETES. 



The head is massive, with a broad muzzle, which is 

 clothed with bristles ; nostrils wide apart, large and hairy 

 inside. Neck adorned with a mane. Horns expanded 

 at the base, and without rings. 



Connochaetes taurinus. Blue Wildebeest. Blaauw 



Wildebeest. 



Native names: Inkongoni (Swazi and Zulu); KoJcong (Barotse) 

 Ikokoni (Basuto). 



Colour bluish-grey or grey-brown, distinctly marked 

 with dark transverse stripes on the sides of the body. 

 Face nearly black. A mane of black hair, and tufts of 

 the same below the jaw and on the throat. Tail furnished 

 with a long black tuft of hairs. Length of head and 

 body, 7 to 7 feet ; tail, 3 feet; height at shoulder, 4 to 

 44 feet. Horns of the male, 20 to 24 inches along the 

 front curve ; females shorter ; record, 31 inches. Record 

 width, widest outside measurement, 32^ inches (owners' 

 measurement, 33). Weight, 500 to 600 Ib. A bull 

 weighed by Dr. Schoch was 515 Ib. 



It ranged formerly from the Northern Cape Colony to 

 the Zambesi, but is now only found as far south as the 



