iyo Wild Life in Central Africa. 



trophies when mounted, and the tails of all game are 

 interesting trophies ; but, of course, the head is the chief 

 prize, and, as I have said, it is, perhaps, the finest African 

 trophy a man can shoot. An old bull's horns almost join 

 on the frontlet, are usually worn down and much gnarled, 

 and sometimes cracked in places ; but all this enhances 

 their value in the sportsman's eyes. 



ELAND (Taurotragus oryx). 



NATIVE NAMES. 

 Chinyanja - - Nchefu. | Chingoni - - Mpofu. 



Approximate weight, <? ... i6oolb. 



Good average horns, <? ... 28in. straight. 

 , 9 ... 28in. 



A big eland bull is a grand animal, and the humane- 

 minded hunter will seldom kill one without regret, for he 

 is a harmless, inoffensive animal, which never tries to 

 resent an injury. Certainly there is very little satisfaction 

 in shooting such animals, and, after doing so, a man never 

 has that exhilarating feeling which comes over him after 

 killing an elephant or buffalo. A few people are very 

 fond of shooting antelopes, but leave the dangerous game 

 alone ; in my opinion, there is nothing great in killing 

 non-dangerous game, as it simply needs a little exercise 

 to find it and some skill with the rifle to kill it. 



An old bull eland's most noticeable features are his 

 great bulk and weight, the tuft of long hair on his fore- 

 head, and his blue appearance, for he is often nearly 

 hairless, although he never becomes wholly so. He 

 evidently rubs most of his hair off, and he certainly treats 

 his horns roughly, as they get worn down to a remarkable 

 degree. No old bull has ever very long horns, and, if 

 they are much over 27in., he cannot be very old. 



When in their prime they may grow horns of from 28in. 

 to 33in., and the former is an average head, the latter 

 quite exceptional. 



