The Antelopes 



255 



horned Antelope, we find 

 several forms of the smaller 

 bushbucks recognised by 

 naturalists : viz. the 

 HARNESSED ANTELOPE of the 

 forest regions of Western 

 Africa; the CAPE BUSHBUCK 

 of South Africa ; CuMMlNG's 

 BUSHBUCK of Eastern Africa; 

 and the DECULA BUSHBUCK of 

 Abyssinia. The various forms 

 of bushbuck vary in general 

 colour from very dark brown 

 to various shades of grey- 

 brown, yellow-brown, and rich 

 red. In all species the young 

 are more or less striped and 

 spotted ; but whereas in some 

 forms the adult animals lose 

 their stripes and spots almost 

 entirely, in others the adults 

 are more richly marked than 

 immature specimens. For my 

 part, I am inclined to believe 

 that, if large series of bush- 

 buck-skins were collected 

 from every district through- 

 out Africa, it would be found 

 that all the varieties of this 

 animal at present accepted 

 as distinct species would be 

 found to grade into one 

 another in such a way that 

 only one true species could 

 be recognised. 



The bushbucks vary in height at the shoulder from 28 inches to 33 inches, and only the 

 males carry horns, which are nearly straight, with a close spiral twist, and measure in adult 

 animals from 10 inches to 18 inches in length. 



Bushbucks are not found in open country, but live in forest or thick bush near the 

 bank of a river, stream, or lake, and are never met with far from water. They are very 

 partial to wooded ravines amongst broken, mountainous country, provided such districts are well 

 watered ; and are very solitary in their habits, both males and females being usually found 

 alone, though the latter are often accompanied by a kid or half-grown animal. They are shy 

 and retiring, and should be looked for between daylight and sunrise, or late in the evening, as 

 they are very nocturnal in their habits, and lie concealed in long grass or thick bush during the 

 heat of the day. Their call resembles the bark of a dog, and may often be heard at nights. 



The BROAD-HORNED ANTELOPE is only found in the forests of the West African coast range, 

 from Liberia to Gaboon. The male of this species is a very handsome animal, standing about 

 43 inches at the Withers, and is a bright chestnut-red in general colour, with a white spinal 

 stripe extending from the withers to the root of the tail, and fourteen or fifteen white stripes 

 on the shoulders, flanks, and hindquarters. The ears are large and rounded, and the horns very 

 massive, and about 30 inches in length, measured over the single spiral twist. There are two or 



Plioto by S. Q. Payne, Ayivsbwry, by permission of the Hon. Walter Kotlvtchild. 



GERENUK. 

 A gazelle : ttke antelope with long neck and legs, inhabiting Xorth-east Africa. 



