292 ANTELOPES 



" warning colour." Dr. E. Lonnberg has, however, pointed out that 

 blackness in male animals may more probably be attributed to general 

 vigour of development, and to the necessity for using up superfluous 

 products in the organism. It is analogous, in fact, to the development 

 of the comb in the cock, and the dark colour and curved lower jaw in 

 the male salmon. When once firmly established in the male, the black 

 livery may make its appearance, as a secondary development, in the 

 female, as in the case of the present species. 



The coat of the sable antelope is in best condition and darkest 

 in colour immediately after the rainy season, when food has been 

 abundant, the mane being then so long as to fall partially to one side. 

 But early in the dry season, that is to say towards the middle of June, 

 the long hair on the neck begins to be shed, and by September there 

 is little left except short brownish hair, with numerous bare patches ; 

 while the coat on other parts becomes scantier and duller. In fact, 

 at this season the animals present a decidedly poor and untidy 

 appearance, very different from their look a few months later, when 

 they once more don their new spring coats. Sparsely forested, grassy 

 upland districts form the favourite resorts of the sable antelope ; and 

 it is on this account that the species is so abundant in Matabililand, 

 Barotsiland, and Mashonaland. During the rains these antelopes are 

 stated, however, to retire to thicker forest at lower elevations for the 

 sake of shelter. And in some instances they may be found on rough, 

 rocky ground, where they display considerable activity in ascending 

 and descending bad places. Early spring, that is to say during the 

 months of September and October, is the chief calving-season, although 

 a few cows may produce their young a month earlier. As already 

 mentioned, the face-markings of the calves are similar to those of the 

 adults ; but in newly dropped calves these markings are stated to be 

 less distinct. 



Sable antelope have the reputation of being the most high-couraged 

 of all the antelope tribe ; and a wounded bull at bay, with its 

 tremendously powerful and wide-reaching horns, is an antagonist which 

 should on all occasions be treated with respect and caution. Neverthe- 

 less, they do not often charge their adversaries, preferring to maintain 

 a defensive rather than to assume an aggressive attitude. 



The following account has been somewhat abbreviated and other- 

 wise slightly altered from one supplied by Mr. Selous : 



" A sable antelope bull, when alone," writes the great hunter, " can 

 be brought to bay by dogs very quickly even when unwounded. But 

 when a herd is pursued by dogs, neither the bull nor any of the cows 



