GEMSBUCK 205 



Genus ORYX. 



Large antelopes with large tufted tails, false hoofs and 

 forwardly directed manes ; horns ringed at the bases 

 long and, in the case of the only South African species, 

 almost straight. 



Oryx gazella. Gemsbuck. Gemsbok. 

 Kukama (Bechuana). 



Colour a tawny grey ; face brown, black, and white, the 

 white eye-stripe being cut off from the muzzle by the 

 joining of the dark nose streak with the black cheeks. A 

 dark brown line below the lower meridian line of the 

 neck, dividing at the base into a longitudinal band on 

 either side of the body, thence on to the hips. A tuft of 

 dark brown hair on the throat. The limbs are white, 

 with a broad dark patch about the knees and hocks. 

 Height, 3 feet 9 inches to 4 feet ; length, 5 feet 3 inches ; 

 tail, 1 foot 3 inches. Horns long, straight, sharp and 

 spear-like, those of the females being as a rule longer and 

 finer ; length, 40 to 45 inches (record, 48 inches). 



The Gemsbuck is fond of open sandy desert country, 

 being found in the dry districts of North- Western Cape 

 Colony, the Kalahari and the South-West African Pro- 

 tectorate to Western Matabeland as far as the Chobi 

 River. It lives in pairs or small herds, feeding upon 

 bulbs, wild melons, small bushes and such-like. It can, 

 in consequence, go for a long time without water, and is 

 more or less independent of this, to us, necessary com- 

 modity. It is of a wary nature, and very fleet. This is 

 to me one of our finest Antelopes, the graceful, compact 

 build and beautiful head making it a regal-looking animal. 

 One pair in the National collection bred very well, the 

 female giving birth to a calf for three successive years, 



