156 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



antelope is found on the Bahr-el-Ghazal, among the White 

 Nile sudd, and in other suitable parts of the southern 

 Sudan. A few may often be seen from the steamer on 

 the tongue of land at the junction of the Bahr-el-Ghazal 

 and the Bahr-el-Ghebel. 



The following is extracted from Mr. E. N. Buxton's 

 account of an expedition to secure some specimens : 



" As a general rule, Mrs. Gray's antelopes are hidden 

 when standing ' um suf/ as the common reed grass is 

 called, which covers vast expanses ; but when a herd 

 starts running, a number of black points the tips of 

 horns and ears become visible, apparently skimming 

 over the top of the grass like a flight of swallows. . . . 

 They have a curious gait, carrying head and neck very 

 low, which is a part of their secretive habits. . . . The 

 species is in no danger, as there are wide regions frequented 

 by them, which are practically inaccessible from the river. 

 The natives hunt them with dogs, concealing themselves 

 in the reeds, and spear them when they rush for cover. 

 We saw loin-cloths made of the skins of these animals 

 worn by women. I do not think they are much preyed 

 upon by lions or leopards, at least I saw no tracks of these 

 animals, and it is obvious that the antelopes could not 

 be easily approached by them when they are standing, 

 as is their wont, in shallow water. The peculiar colour 

 of the old males nearly black, with a large white patch 

 on the withers is only attained by a small percentage of 

 the herd. At a later stage, in a more open place, I had a 

 good sight of a large herd ; I counted seventy, and, as 

 far as I could make out, there were not more than three 

 or four black males accompanying them, the remainder, 

 whether male or female, being fawn coloured." 



THE PUKU. General colour, a rich orange-yellow ; 

 a small tuft of black hairs marks the opening of the 



