■WITH FLASH-LIGHT AND RIFLE 



and the deserts of Arabia in numerous species, the 

 largest of which is (Oryx gazella) the gemsbok of the 

 South African colonists. 



The oryx, typical for German East Africa, is the 

 Oryx calloiis, distinguished by its many tufts of hair 

 and its beautiful ears. 



The Waswahili call it "chiroa," the Masai "ol'gamas- 

 sarok," and the Wandorobbo "songori." They were 

 not generally known to exist in the Masai countries be- 

 fore I proved that they roamed over the steppe singly, 

 in small bands, and in herds of sixty or more. The old 

 males I found, as a rule, leading a solitary life. 



Although fairly abundant the East African oryx is 

 not very frequently seen, as it lives in the most desert 

 places and its color easily blends with the surround- 

 ings. Even so excellent and successful a hunter as F. 

 C. Selous did not succeed in finding and shooting a 

 specimen of the Oryx calloiis in British East Africa, 

 where he hunted for it during some weeks last year. 



This antelope can exist independently of water for 

 a long time, being able to obtain the necessary liquid 

 from the night dew and from watery plants. Only dur- 

 ing the dry season does it seek the drinking-places. Like 

 the gnu, the oryx is essentially an animal of the plain, 

 and does not care for the rocky hills and the mountains. 

 This animal is exceedingly shy, and avoids inhabited 

 regions. It is very difficult to approach a herd. They 

 rest so that their scent allows them to notice an enemy 



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