TOPI 



DAMALISCUS J I MEL A 



SWAHILI : KONGONI. MASAI : KlNYANGOSWA 



A I EAR relation to the hartebeest, but 

 distinguished chiefly by its shorter 

 face and different shaped horns, is the 

 topi. 



It is sometimes called "topi hartebeest," but 

 as its Latin name is " Damaliscus " as against 

 "Bubalis" of the true hartebeest, this is a 

 misnomer. 



The topi is smaller, however, and its horns are 

 short, thick, and heavily ringed, being very often 

 much worn and broken at the tips ; they bend 

 slightly outwards and then try to meet, whilst slant- 

 ing backward all the way. The cow carries a head 

 as well, thinner, as usual, but extremely hard to 

 distinguish, in a herd, from a male's. I remember 

 well my sickness at my first two. I made certain 

 they were both bulls, and the biggest in the herd 

 to boot, but found I had made another error. 



In colour the topi is darkish brown, with curious 

 purple-black markings on his face, flanks, and 

 fore-arms. 



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