THE HOOFED MAMMALS. 155 



head is neat, game-like, and altogether beautiful, and is surmounted by tall 

 spreading spiral horns of great weight and size, which diminish in corkscrew- 

 like formation to sharp points. The greatest recorded length of a kudu's 

 horns appear to be 3 ft. 9| in. in a straight line > over the curve 5 ft. f in. 

 The greatest length of the horns of a lesser kudu in a straight line is 

 2ft. Ijin. ; over the curve 2ft. 7in. There are often great and striking 

 differences in the spread of kudu horns. Fine specimens will sometimes 

 spread between the tips as much as nearly 3 ft. 9 in. Other and equally fin.o 

 horns will only spread a little over 2ft. But whether widespread or closer in 

 growth, the effect of these magnificent spiral horns is equally grand. The 

 eyes are large and very beautiful. The ears are of a light brown colour, and 

 very large and spreading. The hearing of this antelope is marvellously acute, 

 and the great, yet delicate, ears are manifestly exactly fitted for the arrest of 

 the slightest vibration of sound. The senses of smell and sight are also 

 excessively fine, and, united to its preternaturally sharp hearing and general 

 suspiciousness, render the kudu usually a very difficult animal to approach or 

 surprise. The neck of the male is strong, shapely, and well fitted to support 

 the weight of the immense horns. The chin is white. From the throat to 

 the dewlap extends a long and handsome fringe of white and blackish-brown 

 hair, which adds not a little to the handsome appearance of the antelope. 

 The neck also is slightly maned. The legs are strong yet slender, clean, and 

 beautifully formed, terminating in shapely feet, which give a dainty spoor t 

 shaped like the ace of hearts. The kudu spoor is, indeed, one of the most 

 perfect imprints of all African beasts of chase. In length this animal 

 extends some 9 ft. The withers, as in so many other examples of African 

 game, are high ; the body is stoutly formed, and in general contour not 

 unlike that of a Highland stag. The hair is, however, much closer and 

 finer than the red deer's. The tail is about 2 ft. long, terminating in a point. 

 The general port and demeanour of this antelope is exceedingly noble ; and 

 the magnificent carriage of the head, surmounted as it is by the great spiral 

 horns, is one of the finest things in nature. The female, lacking as she is in 

 horns, cuts a much poorer figure than her lord ; and her ears, unrelieved by 

 the fine spiral horns, appear far more prominent and remarkable. The 

 calves are beautiful little creatures, of a bright rufous colour, strongly lined 

 with white. The cows have only one calf at a time, usually between 

 September and November the favourite calving period with most South 

 African antelopes. The kudu feeds more upon the young leafage and 

 sprouting greenery of bushes, shrubs, and trees, than upon grass. Its 

 favourite browsing-ground is bush and woodland, the stony slopes of hills, 

 and well-bushed mountain-sides. In these haunts this antelope is difficult of 

 approach, and offers very excellent stalking. In countries not much shot 

 over, however, the kudu may be occasionally surprised at quite close 

 quarters. In woodland and bushy country the pace of the kudu, considering 

 the weight and size of its horns, and the difficulties and obstacles of covert, 

 is surprising. In hill country it is wonderfully active and will jump magnifi- 

 cently ; upon open ground, however, where it occasionally strays, it may be 

 ridden down without much trouble, and upon the flat its gait is laboured and 

 somewhat slow. This antelope is gregarious, and runs usually in parties of 

 from five to eight ; occasionally, however, larger troops, numbering as many 

 as twenty individuals, are encountered. In the dense forest south of the 

 Botletli river, while hunting giraffe, I startled a troop of fifteen upon one 

 occasion. The hide of the kudu is one of the most valuable of all South 



