168 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



Kalahari and ex-German territory on the west and 

 Northern Zululand on the east. In North - West 

 Rhodesia and the Eastern and Northern Transvaal it is 

 still fairly common. It resembles the succeeding species 

 in habits, but is often found in the open glades of bush 

 country, and it seldom strays far from the vicinity of 

 water. It feeds during the daytime, and usually con- 

 gregates in herds of from thirty to fifty individuals, 

 although two or more herds may stay temporarily 

 together. 



Its pace is fast, and the animal is said to have 

 excellent staying powers. Usually a single young one is 

 born during the months of November to January. Mr. E. 

 Atmore, of Hectorspruit, shot a pure albino near the 

 Lebombo Mountains in 1918. 



The Zoo has had examples from Vryburg (Kalahari), 

 the Eastern Transvaal and Southern Ehodesia. The 

 skin, which is strong and tough, is much prized for 

 making reims. 



Connochaetes gnu. White-tailed Gnu or Black Wildebeest. 

 Zwart Wildebeest. 



The colour is dark brown. There is a patch of hair on 

 the face, which is directed upwards. There is also long 

 hair on the chin, throat and between the legs. The tail 

 reaches to the hocks, the longer white hairs sometimes 

 reaching to the ground. Horns bent downward and 

 forward and then upward. Length, 19 to 25 inches ; 

 record, 26 inches (owner's measurement, 30 inches). 

 Length of the head and body, 6 feet ; tail, about 2J to 

 3 feet ; height about 3| feet. 



It is at present only found in the Orange Free State 

 (where herds are, amongst other localities, still preserved 



