CHAPTER XIII. 



HUNTING THE KUDU AND SABLE. 



THERE are many beautiful species of antelopes in Africa, but I think the 

 finest are the kudu and sable. I have never shot the gemsbuck, and 

 perhaps it is the only other antelope that can compare with these two. 



Comparisons are said to be odious, although, without them, we could not 

 tell the difference between good and bad, so I see no harm in comparing the 

 trophies and sporting qualities of these two fine species. 



Seen on a wall the kudu head will seem to be the grander trophy, but seen in 

 their native habitat I think the sable the finer beast. 



The habits of the kudu are not unlike those of the bushbuck, and he is 

 seldom seen in the open. The sable, on the other hand, delights in open country 

 in the evenings and early mornings ; and even in the daytime in parts of the 

 country where he has been little molested. 



In my notes on the game- of this country I have mentioned both species, 

 but I would like to give a few of my experiences of hunting them, and of their 

 heads, which will be the most sought after of all the antelopes of this country. 



The kudu is a large beast and will weigh about as much as a roan. He 

 is higher on his legs than that animal, and longer in the body, if not so thick set. 



His hide is a pretty bluish colour with white stripes, and an old bull will 

 be almost hairless, but not in such a degree as the old bull eland. The best 

 part of the kudu is the head, which can be magnificent. The horns have a long 

 corkscrew curve, or spiral, and are often well spread at the tips, which enhances 

 their beauty on a wall. 



As the kudu is rather a retiring animal in it habits, it certainly requires better 

 hunting to bring it to bag than do sable. However, a wary, solitary bull sable is 

 perhaps as cute a beast as there is. All wary animals get careless at times, especially 

 in very hot weather, and one can't form an opinion from the behaviour of any one 

 animal what the others will do. One must have had experience of a number before 

 being qualified to give a certain opinion. 



The record pair of horns which Mr. Rowland Ward gives in his book of 

 "Records" are 48|in. on the straight; but the curve measurement of this 



