NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



THE BLUE WILDEBEEST 

 OR BRINDLED GNU 



(Connochestes taurinus) 



Kaop (which means Baas or master) of Namaquas and Hotten- 

 tots ; Kokoon of Bechuanas ; Inkone-kone of Swazis, Zulus 

 and Matabele ; Ikokoni of Basutos ; Ee-vumba of Maka- 

 lakas ; Kokong of Barotse and Batoka tribes ; Minyumbwi of 

 Batongas ; Numbo of Masubias ; Nyamba of the Chilala 

 and Chisenga; Unzozo of the Makubas. 



THE Blue Wildebeest, Blaauw or Bastard Wildebeest 

 of the Dutch colonists, inhabits South Africa from 

 the South-West across to Portuguese East Africa 

 and the Zambesi. It extends as far south as the 

 low country of the Eastern Transvaal and the Malopo 

 River on the west. North of the Zambesi it is 

 common as far as the Equator. 



In former times the Blue Wildebeest was plentiful 

 all over South Africa, from the vicinity of the Orange 

 River to the Zambesi. It was to be seen in troops 

 of from a dozen to about sixty individuals on the 

 plains and bush-veld, but never in broken, rocky 

 country or amongst the hills. Like its relative, the 

 Black Wildebeest, it is a grass-eating antelope of the 

 plains. 



Owing to being hunted so relentlessly by man, 

 these antelopes are retiring to the more wooded 

 districts to escape his attacks. 



In secluded districts they are usually found in 

 the open, grassy country interspersed with patches 

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