216 



THE NYLGHAU. 



Passing from Africa to Asia, we find a curious and handsome Ante- 

 lope, partaking of many of the characteristics which are found in the 

 Koodoo and Bosch-bok. This is the Nylghau, an inhabitant of the 

 thickly-wooded districts of India. 



This magnificent Antelope is rather more than four feet high at 



the shoulders, and its 

 ^^^^-- general color is a slate- 



blue. The face is marked 

 wnth brown or sepia ; the 

 long neck is furnished 

 with a bold dark mane, 

 and a long tuft of coarse 

 hair hangs from the 

 throat. The female is 

 smaller than her mate, 

 and hornless. Her coat 

 is generally a reddish 

 gray, instead of partak- 

 ing of the slate-blue tint 

 ^ ^^ ^„ , . which colors the form of 



^ -^ ' the male. Ihe hmd-legs 



of this animal are rather shorter than the fore-legs. Its name, 

 Nylghau, is of Persian origin, and signifies " blue ox." 



It does not seem to be of a social disposition, and is generally found 

 in pairs inhabiting the borders of the jungle. There are, however, 

 many examples' of solitary males. It is a shy and wary animal, and 

 the hunter who desires to shoot it is obliged to exert his bush-craft to 

 the utmost in order to attain his purpose. To secure a Nylghau re- 

 quires a good marksman as well as a good stalker, for the animal is 

 very tenacious of life, and if not struck in the proper spot will carry 

 oflT a heavy bullet without seeming to be much the worse at the time. 

 The native chiefs are fond of hunting the Nylghau, and employ in the 

 chase a whole army of beaters and trackers, so that the poor animal 

 has no chance of fair play. These hunts are not without their excite- 

 ment, for the Nylghau's temper is of the shortest, and when it feels 

 itself aggrieved, it suddenly turns upon its opponent, drops on its 

 knees, and leaps forward with such astounding rapidity that the attack 

 can hardly be avoided, even when the intended victim is aware of the 

 animal's intentions. 



The Nylghau is not of very great value either to individual hunters 

 or for commercial purposes. The hide is employed in the manufacture 

 of shields, but the flesh is coarse and without flavor. There are, how- 

 ever, exceptions to be found in the "hump" of the male, the tongue, 

 and the marrow-bones, which are thought to be rather delicate articles 



