chap. viii. ANECDOTES OF ANTELOPES. 3G7 



common to the whole genus is a curious one. When any 

 of them are killed, the remainder, as soon as they become 

 aware of the fact, utter a very peculiar and melancholy 

 wail, and will wander about near the place plaintively 

 lamenting their loss. There can be no doubt that it is 

 a sort of dirge or wailing, as though I have often listened 

 to it for hours during the stillness of the night, yet it 

 was only uttered by the herd that had lost one of its 

 number; the other herds, of which there were plenty, 

 remaining quiet. Many a lion has lost his supper through 

 it, for the natives, guided by the cry, will make search in 

 the direction indicated, and should they find the carcase 

 will scream and shout to scare the lion, and if successful 

 will hardly leave it a bone. 



The water-antelope {Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is an ex- 

 tremely fine animal, and so plentiful that there are, 

 perhaps, more of them shot than of any of the other large 

 antelopes. It may be classed with the reed-buck, in the 

 same manner that the Nyala, hereafter to be mentioned, 

 may be classed with the larger bush-buck. The large 

 ringed horns, which in males crown its brow, bear a strong 

 resemblance to those of the reed-buck, while the habits 

 and general appearance of both species are almost identical. 

 Both frequent thickets and reedy places near water, and 

 are principally found in pairs or in small groups. They 

 differ, however, in colour, which in the water-antelope is 

 of a dark iron grey, with a remarkable white line pass- 

 ing down each haunch. The hair of the species inhabiting 

 Eastern Africa is very long and coarse, though that of the 

 one found in Central Africa (A. difassa) is remarkably soft, 

 and is highly prized by the natives as being so. 1 



1 Dr. Schweinfurth's Heart of Africa, p. 338. 



