292 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



The topi found in Uganda has been lately described as a 

 distinct species (Damalis jimeld) by Dr. Matschi, but whether 

 it is really so or is only a local and somewhat larger variety 

 of D. senegalensis I am unable to say. It is found both 

 in plains and open bush, and is plentiful at Merereni and on 

 the mainland near Lamu, where I have shot it within a quarter 

 of a mile of the sea. I believe the topi to be capable of greater 

 pace than any other East African antelope. One of the pecu- 

 liarities of this beast is the way it varies in colour when seen 

 standing at different angles in bright sunlight, at one time 

 appearing quite black and at others a slatey-blue or stone-grey. 



DAMALIS HUNTERI 



D, Hunteri, first obtained by my friend Mr. H. C. V. Hunter 

 in 1888, is only found north of the Tana river, but how 

 far north it ranges into the Somali country is at present un- 

 known. In habits it resembles the topi. 



ROAN ANTELOPE 



The Roan Antelope I have added to the list with a query 

 after its name. I do not believe that it exists anywhere in 

 British East Africa south of Turkwel. 1 On the northern slopes 

 of Mount Elgon I saw two beasts which, as they stood facing 

 me some 400 yards off, I took to be waterbucks, but on being 

 alarmed at my firing at a hartebeest which crossed the footpath 

 just in front of me, I at once perceived, as they cantered off, that 

 they were animals which I had never seen before. As they 

 appeared to tally at that distance with the roan, in respect of 

 size, colour, shape of the horns, and length of ears, I have put 

 them down as the roan, though I think it is more than probable 

 that they may some day prove to be quite a different species, 

 possibly Hippotragus Bakeri. 



1 Since this was written the roan antelope has been killed near the coast by 

 Mr. Jenner. It is evidently very local. 



