14- NATURAL HISTORY. 



compared with that of some of the other ruminating animals, the whole face being far too sheep-like, 

 and this remark equally applies to all its near allies. The Dorcas Gazelle is a name by which it is also 

 known. Like many other members of the genus, it has a tuft of hair upon each knee. The tail is 

 long and tapering ; the body hair rather coarse and of a pale fawn colour. The hips, as well as the 

 breast and the abdomen, are white. As to their habits, Mr. Blanford, in his work on Abyssinia, tells us 

 that, so far as his observation went, " neither the Dorcas nor Bennett's Gazelle is ever seen in large 

 flocks, like the animals of the Spring-bok group. Usually both are seen solitary, or from two to five 

 together, inhabiting thin bushes generally on broken ground. They feed much upon the leaves of 

 bushes. The male has a peculiar habit, when surprised, of standing still and uttering a short, sharp 

 cry. Like most Antelopes, they keep much to the neighbourhood of some particular spot. After long 

 observation, I am convinced that Bennett's Gazelle never drinks ; and all that I could ascertain of the 

 Dorcas Gazelle leads to the same conclusion in its case." 



Captain Baldwin says that, " like other Antelopes, the little Ravine Deer [by which is meant 



DORCAS GAZELLE. 



Bennett's Gazelle] has many enemies besides man. One day, when out with my rifle, I noticed an old 

 female Gazelle stamping her feet, and every now and then making that 'hiss' which is the alarm-note 

 of the animal. It was not I that was the cause of her terror, for I had passed close to her only a few 

 minutes before, and she seemed to understand by my manner that I meant no harm. No ; there was 

 something else, t turned back, and on looking down a ravine close by, saw a crafty "Wolf attempting 

 a stalk on the mother and young one. Another day, at Agra, a pair of Jackals joined in the chase of 

 a wounded Buck. 



" The Chikarah [again another name for Bennett's Gazelle] is as easily tamed as the common 

 Antelope ; they are favourite pets, and become strongly attached to those who rear and feed them. 

 I have seen tame ones driven out with a herd of Goats to graze, and never attempt to make their 

 escape. It is not at all unusual to find the wild Gazelles feeding close to, sometimes almost mingling 



with, herds of Goats, when the latter have been driven out to pasture Like all 



Antelopes, the eyesight of the Chikarah is very acute, and the animal is perpetually on the watch 

 against danger. It, however, appears to be gifted with only a moderate sense of hearing, and still less 

 so of smell." 



THE ARABIAN, OR ARID GAZELLE, is the same size as the preceding, difFeiing, as may be gathered 

 from the table given on page 13, in the shape of its horns, which, from being directed upwards and 



