CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE INDIAN AND THIBETAN ANTELOPES 

 AND GAZELLES 



THE INDIAN ANTELOPE (Antilope Bezoartica) 



THE mature male of the Indian antelope, or 

 Sasin antelope {Antilope Bezoartica), which is 

 called the "black buck," is one of the most beautiful 

 and most graceful animals in India in fact, in the 

 world. He is found under suitable conditions in the 

 plains in many portions of each of the presidencies 

 of our vast dependency. His spouse the homely, 

 hornless, fawn - coloured doe is not nearly so 

 conspicuous an animal as is her black-robed lord, 

 the snowy whiteness of whose under parts stands 

 out in glaring contrast to the ebon hue of the 

 remainder of his body, and whose artistically- 

 twisted and closely-ringed horns which are of 

 great length in comparison with the size of the 

 animal, whose height is only about 32 inches are 

 a fitting finish to the handsome attire of this most 

 elegant and very striking creature. 



Whether we see him lying down taking his ease 

 in the midst of his harem, or walking proudly, 

 with head erect, occasionally pursuing and driving 

 off a younger buck who has exhibited an in- 



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