86 ON SAFARI 



region. This species can always be distinguished by the fact that 

 the fawn colour of the back continues down to the tail, and is not 

 interrupted by the white of the rump-patch, as is the case in all 

 forms of Grant's gazelle. 



The horns of Peters' gazelle average from 20 to 22 ins. in 

 length, and ai'e narrow, almost parallel, the usual span being only 

 6 to 9 ins. between tips, as shown opposite. 



The growth of the horns in immature examples of G. g. brigliti 

 so closely resembles in form the horns of adult G. petersi (as will be 

 seen in the drawing on p. 87), that it is hardly surprising if we were 

 mistaken in identifying these species at Baringo. 



Next morning three giraffes were visible from the 

 look-out koppie near our camp, but these great animals 

 possessed no attraction for us, and as a single bull oryx 

 was feeding with two zebras in another direction, 1 made 

 for these. Oryx, however, j^roved intensely watchful 

 and wild, and defied every effort both of my brother 

 and myself on that and many another day. 



August 30 proved my red-letter day. I began with 

 a fairly good imj^ala buck (24|- ins.) close to camp, and 

 then, after expending a lot of wasted energy in stalking 

 a zebra that both Elmi and I, in the early light, had 

 mistaken for an eland, we esj)ied a lone oryx bull afar 

 on the oj^en prairie. Beyond him was a second. 

 Stalking, strictly speaking, was impossible ; we merely 

 crouched forward, stooping low, and with Elmi's arm 

 around my shoulder. While thus progressing, the two 

 bulls, having closed in, began to fight. I heard their 

 horns crash together repeatedly, but had not much 

 opj^ortunity, while racing ahead, to observe closely their 

 mode of attack. They certainly did not lower their 

 heads to the ground, as they are reported to do in 

 receiving the charge of a lion (and as represented at 

 South Kensington). One such blow, well driven home, 

 must mean death. They rather sparred with their rapier- 

 like horns, each seeking to gain the other's Hank. While 

 the oryx were thus engrossed I got in, and at 400 yards 

 (estimated) fired both barrels, each aimed with the 

 utmost care, yet without the slightest effect or any 

 apparent notice being taken. The beasts continued 



