318 RECORDS OF BIG GAME 



The KUDU (Strepsiceros capensis). 



Agarzin of the Abyssinians. Ngoino in the Chilala and Chibisa 



Eebala-bala of the Amandebele. countries. 



Ee-zilarwa of the Makalakas. Noro of the Mashonas. 



Dwar of the Masaras. Tata of the M'Kua. 



Godir of the Somalis. Tolo of the Bechuanas. 



Itolo of the Basutos. 70/0 in Barotsiland and Ngamiland. 



Itsliongonons of the Svvazis. Unza of the Mazubias. 



Muzeeloua of the Batongas. Unzwa of the Makubas. 



Although rather less brilliantly coloured than some of the bush- 

 ,bucks, the kudus are among the handsomest of all antelopes, their spiral 

 horns, striped coat, and noble carriage rendering them really magnificent 

 creatures. Their chief difference from the bushbucks is to be found 

 in the fuller spiral formed by the horns and the larger ears, both 

 sexes being nearly similar in colour. The special characteristics of the 

 greater or true kudu are the large size (height at shoulder reaching to 

 4 feet 10 inches or 5 feet), the presence of a thick fringe of long hair 

 on the throat, and the open spiral of the horns of the bull. The colour 

 is too well known to require description. The Somali kudu (S. c. chord] 

 .differs from the typical southern form in having only about five trans- 

 verse stripes instead of the usual nine or ten. 



Distribution. The kudu, in suitable localities, ranges over the greater 

 part of Africa south of the Sahara, extending from Abyssinia and 

 Somaliland through East and Central Africa to the Cape, and west- 

 ward across the continent to Angola, where the Congo apparently 

 forms its northern limits. In spite of its bulk, it is an adept at 

 concealment ; and this trait, coupled with its general wariness and 

 acute sense of smell and hearing, has largely contributed to its sur- 

 vival in districts where it is much hunted. Except in the Uitenhage 

 jungles, where it is preserved by British farmers, the kudu has 

 been exterminated from Cape Colony. In Eastern Mashonaland 

 it is still abundant, as it is in the highlands of Somaliland, in which 

 country it is rarely met with on the plains. The Somali form 

 inhabits less thickly wooded country than the southern race, and 

 it is in accordance with this that it has fewer stripes. 



Although unrivalled at traversing rocky hills, the kudu is by 

 no means a good performer on the flat (where it seldom allows itself 

 to be surprised), and can be ridden down without much difficulty 

 by a fairly well-mounted hunter. 

 Horned females occur rarely. 



