32 SAVAGE SUDAN 



results in the whole desert-region being "closed" to the 

 wandering rifleman. 



By comparison the pursuit of Oryx leucoryx in western 

 Kordofan may be reckoned almost a minor enterprise, 

 since the nearest haunts of that superb antelope can be 

 reached in no more than four or five days' desert march 

 from "rail-head" at El Obeid. Nevertheless, this latter 

 is no venture to be lightly undertaken. The oryx has a 

 seasonal migration. Previous to the rains say in March 

 or April herds of these antelopes move southwards from 

 the deserts of Dongola (where their range overlaps that of 

 addax) to those of Kordofan, down to about 13 North 

 latitude. At that period the Baggara spearmen of 

 Kordofan are wont to hunt these immigrant herds, and 

 on their fleet ponies are reputed to "ride out" a troop 

 or, at least, the heavy old bulls thereof within a spin of 

 six to eight miles' hard riding. When thus overhauled, 

 these old bulls (being still unwounded) are reputed 

 " savage and dangerous " ; and from what we know of the 

 useful style in which roan and sable antelopes can employ 

 their scimitar-shaped horns when held-up, the definition is 

 likely enough to be correct that is, to an Arab spearman 

 going in to close quarters. 



The above dates indicate that for an expedition into 

 the deserts of Kordofan (the oryx representing the chief 

 prize, with addra and Dorcas gazelles, and possibly the 

 korrigum hartebeest as minor objectives), the most 

 favourable season is during the months of March and 

 April. Later, when the rains commence, the oryx return 

 northwards, usually in May. 



Two other desert-animals demand passing notice. 

 On the isolated jebels and rock-ranges that dot the inner 

 recesses of Sahara, is found the big Barbary sheep, or 

 aoudad (Ovis lervia\ always, it appears, scarce and local. 

 We never saw it or were ever near its probable limits ; 

 though it used to exist and may do so yet on the 

 Shabluka hills only 50 miles north of Khartoum, where 



