xxix ANIMALS OF THE BACK BLOCKS 289 



grounds, whereas really he is somewhat of a skulker. 

 His favourite habitat is formed by the rocky and 

 densely-wooded slopes of hills, and water is a very 

 secondary consideration with him. He also penetrates 

 a considerable way into dense forest and through 

 thickets where at first sight one would never have 

 imagined that the old bulls could have forced their 

 horns. However, throwing his head back so that the 

 sharp nose is pointed forward and upward and his horns 

 lie flat against his flanks, he forces his way through a 

 regular jungle, like a gigantic snow-plough. Kudu 

 certainly exist in the following places — round Marsabit, 

 the hills on the south shores of Rudolf, and plentifully 

 in the northern Game Reserve, in the southern Game 

 Reserve, in the wooded hills beyond the southern Guaso 

 Nyero to the German border, and in the Baringo 

 district. Also, I am credibly informed, on the hills 

 round Meru, on the Mumoni hills and bush land 

 adjoining, behind the Voi Hills, to the south-west of 

 the railway line at Kenani, in the thick bush between 

 Mazeras and the Shimba hills. Anything over 47 

 inches is a fair head, and over 54 inches would be 

 good. 



The Sable Antelope is rare and extremely local. He 

 exists in British East Africa only in the Shimba hills 

 and in the land running from there to the coast. It 

 is doubtful if the species numbers 200 in all. Fortu- 

 nately, the country is in their favour, or they would 

 have been exterminated long ere the present day. 

 Horns run small, by far the finest pair obtained 

 measuring just over 41 inches, were shot by Capt. J. 

 Murray, late A.D.C. to the Governor. Their further 

 protection might at an early date be reconsidered, as 

 they are by nature plain dwellers, and consequently 



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