90 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND 



MEASUREMENTS. The measurements of the stretched skin 

 of an adult male shot in the Haud were : 



Length from nose to root of tail . . 7 ft. 5 in. 



Length of tail i 3 



(with terminal hairs) . . 2 6 



DISTRIBUTION. The oryx beisa is found in suitable localities 

 all over Somaliland : on the parched-up stony flats intersected 

 with sand dunes to the east of Berbera ; on and around the table- 

 topped hills between Bulhar and Berbera ; on the hillsides at Salai 

 and Issituggan ; in herds on the rolling plains to the west and 

 south-west of Hargeisa ; and in the Khansa bush country and 

 Nogal Valley. Oryx are not difficult to shoot, if a horse is 

 employed in hunting them ; they very soon tire and are easily 

 bagged. On the plains they are rather wild, but a shot at 150 

 yards can usually be got by stalking them, behind a camel. When 

 hunting oryx in the bush it is better to follow up a single spoor in 

 preference to the tracks of a herd, as the single spoor invariably 

 turns out to be that of an old bull. 



HABITS. Oryx are always to be found in herds, although on 

 the plains it is a common sight to see odd members feeding alone. 

 Where grass is plentiful, as on the plains in Western Somaliland, 

 herds of thirty or more may be seen dotted about over the wide 

 expanse, but on the rocky hills near the coast the herds are much 

 smaller and usually only number seven to twelve individuals. 

 Oryx can go without water for long periods at a time, depending 

 entirely on the heavy dews for moisture, like the dik-dik and 

 maritime gazelle. When wounded or brought to bay the oryx is 

 very pugnacious. He lowers his head, pointing his horns at his 

 antagonist, and charges in the hope of transfixing him. When 

 wounded, however, and lying on the ground he will sweep round 

 in a semicircular fashion with his horns, and woe to the native 

 shikari who in his excitement rushes at a wounded oryx to 

 " halal " him without due precautions. 



