THE X1LGAI 303 



Head of Nilgai. 



The NILGAI or BLUE BULL (Boselaphus tragocamelus). 



This somewhat ungainly and decidedly small-horned antelope is 

 the single Oriental representative of an important group whose other 

 members are African. Most are large, and, with the exception of the 

 elands and bongo, lack horns in the females. In the males the horns 

 are angulated in front and generally spirally twisted, but in no case 

 ridged. There are small face-glands, the muzzle is naked, and the tail 

 is long and tufted. Except in the nilgai, the upper cheek-teeth have 

 short and broad crowns. 



From the other members of the group the nilgai is readily 

 distinguished by its short, upright horns, which, although angulated in 

 front, show no distinct spiral twist. With a long and pointed head, 

 this antelope has the fore-legs considerably longer than the hind 

 pair ; and it is chiefly to this peculiarity that its ungainly appearance 

 is due. Both sexes have a mane on the neck, but the bulls alone 

 possess a tuft of long hair on the middle of the throat. The general 

 colour of the adult bull is dark grey, tinged with blue or brown ; but 

 the mane and tufts of long hair are black, and streaks and patches on 

 the face, ears, and throat, as well as the under parts, the lower surface 

 of the tail, a streak down the buttocks, and a ring above and below 



