252 ANTELOPES 



mountains southwards to Ogoden, but also occurring to the northward 

 of the Golis in the neighbourhood of Laferug, where it impinges on 

 the habitat of the next species. With horns of much the same type 

 as those of the edmi, the dhero, as this species is called in Somaliland, 

 is distinguishable at a glance by the presence of a flabby, corrugated 

 swelling on the nose, which is present in both sexes, although more 

 developed in the male, and probably connected with the sexual 

 function. The general colour of the upper -parts is pale brownish 

 fawn, with the flank-band darker than in the other members of the 

 edmi group, and a black nose-spot. The shoulder-height is from 

 23 to 24 inches, or only slightly more than in the dorcas ; and the 

 record horn-length I 2^ inches. 



In life the loose flabby skin of the hump on the nose can probably 

 be inflated. 



The following account of Speke's gazelle in its native home is by 

 Mr. D. G. Elliot : " In its habits it resembles Pelzeln's gazelle, and 

 frequents the same kind of country bare stony stretches with bunches 

 of stunted wiry grass scattered here and there and is very seldom 

 met with among bushes or trees of any size, although I have known 

 it go into fairly dense clumps of jungle. I believe, however, on these 

 occasions it sought such retreats as places of refuge more from 

 necessity than from choice. 



" It is a rather shy animal, more so, I think, than the lowland species, 

 and is at times very wild and difficult to approach, compelling the 

 hunter to take long and hazardous chances in order to secure a 

 specimen. It is a very watchful creature, each individual of a band 

 adding its own powers of discovering danger to that of the entire 

 company. When any unusual object is perceived, the whole troop 

 stop and \vatch it intently ; for these gazelles have a large amount 

 of inquisitiveness, and will frequently stand motionless and gaze a 

 long time before commencing to run. When first startled they only 

 go a short distance, and if the cause of their fears has disappeared 

 they will begin to feed or play with each other, the males engaging 

 in mock battles, or chasing each other with great speed ; but if much 

 persecuted they will abandon a locality altogether. 



" The horns of the male are stouter and more curved than those 

 of Pelzeln's gazelle, but, like these, are annulated nearly to the tip. 

 Those of the female are lighter, straighter, less deeply annulated, and 

 measure about 9 inches. Speke's gazelle is a stouter animal than the 

 lowland species, with a much thicker coat, in accordance with the 

 colder climate of the high plateau." 



