WHITE-TAILED GNU OR BLACK WILDEBEEST 159 



Horns of White-Tailed Gnu. From Mr. F. H. Barber's specimen. 



WHITE-TAILED GNU or BLACK WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes gnu). 



This southern species is the true gnu, being formerly known to the 

 Hottentots by that name, while, by the colonists, it is termed the black 

 wildebeest. Its inferior size (height at shoulder about 3 ft. 10 ins.), 

 the downward curvature of the horns at starting and their great 

 expansion at the base, the pure white tail, and the abundant fringe of 

 long hair on the chest and under parts, serve at once to distinguish it 

 from the brindled gnu. The general colour is uniform deep umber- 

 brown, passing into black. Females are much smaller than males ; 

 and have the horns more slender and less expanded at the base. 

 Distribution. The northern range of this species was approximately 

 limited by the Vaal, or northern branch of the Orange River. At the 

 time of the Boer war this gnu was represented only by herds of a 

 few hundred head preserved in the Orange River Colony. On the 

 plains of the latter country, as well as on the Karoos of Cape 

 Colony, it was formerly found in vast herds, generally in company 

 with quaggas. Fierce and treacherous in disposition, it was 

 especially characterised by its habit of indulging in grotesque 

 capers and frolics on the approach of strangers. 



30$ 

 30 



: 22i 



14 



Kalahari. 



Owner. 



Dr. F. H. H. Guillemard. 

 Mr. Justice Hopley. 



Owner's measurements. 

 1 Circumference. 



