THE NILGHAI 



(Boselaphus tragocamelus) 



THE Nilghai owes whatever distinction it possesses to the fact that it 

 is the largest of the few Antelopes of Asia ; for in itself it is not a 

 particularly striking or interesting animal, and in Africa would not be 

 of much account. It is a member of the Tragelaphine group, but 

 differs from all of them in the shortness of the horns, which are also 

 without any twist ; they never reach even a foot in length, and in the 

 female are absent altogether. The cow Nilghai also differs much in 

 colour from the bull, being of a light fawn or yellow colour, but with 

 the same white markings as her mate. The calves are also fawn- 

 coloured, and the male illustrated was not quite in full colour, the 

 fully mature bull being of a pure iron-grey, much the same colour 

 as a "blue roan" Horse. In size the Nilghai about equals a Pony, 

 and there is something very Horse-like about its general appearance, 

 although the kind of Horse it suggests is a very badly-shaped one. 



The Nilghai is a purely Indian animal, and does not reach Burma 

 or Ceylon, nor does it ascend the Himalayas. It is usually found in 

 small herds, generally frequenting country where there is more or less 

 cover, though not affecting really thick forest. It feeds both on grass 

 and on leaves, wild fruit, &c., and is often very destructive to the 

 crops of the natives. With the Hindoo section of these it is a 

 sacred animal, simply because its name means " Blue Cow," so that 

 the sanctity of the bovine race has been absurdly transferred to it. 

 Mohammedans, of course, will eat its flesh readily enough, but it is not 

 much hunted by European sportsmen, because no one cares much about 

 possessing a head with such insignificant horns. It thus comes about 

 that the Nilghai is probably less hunted than any other animal of the 

 size ; but, of course, it has natural enemies to reckon with in the 

 shape of Tigers, Dholes, and other carnivores. 



The bull Nilghai is not a very fast animal at any rate, he can be 

 ridden down if he is pressed hard at first ; but the cow is swifter, 

 and will gallop straight away from a horseman. 



This Antelope has long been a familiar animal in menageries ; it 



II. " H 



