166 



Antilopid^.- 



-MAMMALIA.- 



-Antilopid-e. 



unusual noise, the Kukoon is wont to appear much 

 more giim and ferocious than it actually proves ; not 

 unfrequently approaching with an air of defiance, as if 

 resolved to do battle with the hunter, but decamping 

 upon the very first exhibition of hostility on his part. 

 On beuig pursued, the herd bring tlieir aquiline noses 

 low between tlieir knees, and flourishing their stream- 

 ing black tails, tear away in long regular files at a 

 fmious gallop ; wheeling curiously about at the distance 

 of two or three himdred yards, advancing boldly towards 



I the danger, tossing their shaggy heads in a threatening 

 mamier, presently making a sudden stop, presenting 



I an impenetrable front of horns, and starmg wildly at 

 the object of their mistnist. The slightest demonstra- 

 tion, however, is sufficient to put the whole squadron to 

 flight, when the}' make a somewhat shorter excursion, 

 again wheel in a circle, show a more menacmg and 

 imposing front tlian before, and most probably take up 

 theu' position witliin sure rifle range. When engaged 

 in gi-azing, they have an extremely dull and clumsy 

 appearance, and at a little distance might often be 

 mistaken for wild bufl'aloes ; but their usual manner is 

 sportive, at one moment standing to gaze at nothuig, 

 and at the next scampering over the plain without anj' 

 apparent object in view, making various grotesque 

 curves and plunges, with their preposterous bonassus- 

 looking heads laid between tlie fore-legs." The ilesh 

 of tlic Kokoon resembles that of beef, and is much 

 sought after by the natives. The hide is dressed with 

 the mane and beard attached, and when carefully jire- 

 pared is converted into useful and ornamontd cloaks, 

 shawls, and tippets. 



THE NYL-GHAU {rortax ^Jicto)— Plate 20, fig. 67— 

 is a native of Lidia. It is as large as a stag, the sum- 

 mit of the shoulders standing more than four feet from 

 the ground. The fur exhibits a tawny, ferruginous 

 colour generaUy, being in the male of a imifonn bluish- 

 grey at the upper parts. The head is furnished mth a 

 pair of short horns, about seven inches m length, which 

 are slightly recurved forwards ; tliey do not exist in the 

 female. The muzzle is remarkably attenuated ; tlio 

 ears are rounded, and the lachrymal sinuses rather 

 large. The neck is broad and compressed laterally ; 

 and at tlie under part, near the middle line, it is fur- 

 nished with a conspicuous tuft of hair. Immediately 

 above this beard-hke development there is a whitish 

 spot ; two similar patches being also seen on either 

 cheek, below and in front of the eye. Besides these, 

 the pasterns are marked with white spots formmg more 

 or less distinct bands romid tlie ankle-jouits. The 

 mane is pretty strongly developed, especially over the 

 region of the shoulders, where it forms a thickish tuft. 

 The taU is long and bushy at the tip. According to 

 Mr. OgHby, the Nyl-ghau dweUs pruicipally ui dense 

 forests, " whence it occasionally makes excursions very 

 early in the momuig, or duruig the night, to feed upon 

 tlio corn-fields of tlio natives which happen to be situ- 

 ated ui the \-icinity of the jungle. It is a vicious animal, 

 of very uncertain temper, and as it is both powerful and 

 resolute, and frequently turns upon its pursuers, it is 

 seldom made an object of chase, except by the native 

 princes, who employ elephants for this pm-pose, or 

 inclose the game in nets." It is likewise added, that 



" even in confuiement, and when domesticated from 

 birth, the violent and changeable temper of the Nyl- 

 ghau cannot be trusted. Previous to maldng an attack, 

 it di'ops upon the fore-knees, advancmg in this position 

 tiU within a proper distance ; then darting suddenly 

 forwards with the velocity of an arrow, and with a force 

 which no ordinary animal can withstand." The female 

 commonly produces two young at a birth, her period 

 of gestation extending over a period of eight months. 



THE BOSCH-BOC ( Trarjelaphus sylvatica) is an inha- 

 bitant of Cape Colony and Cafii'aria, dweUuig more 

 particularly in forests near the sea-coast. The body 

 of a full-grown male stands two feet eight inches high 

 at tlie shoulder, and measures rather more than five 

 feet in length. The fur exhibits a bright-chestnut 

 colour generally, being darker superiorly, but marked 

 along the spine by a narrow white streak ; white spots 

 also exist on the cheek, as well as on tlie flanks and fet- 

 locks. The forehead has a deep sienna-brown colour, 

 and the neck is encircled by a coDar-like band of a still 

 darker hue. The horns are about a foot long, thick 

 below, and graduaUy attenuated towards the rather 

 blunt extremities ; their position is erect, and tliey are 

 marked by spirally directed ridges in front and beliind, 

 which disappear after traversing the first two-thirds of 

 their length. The ears are large and roimded, the 

 limbs stoutish, the tail of moderate extent, and the 

 muzzle naked. There are no lachrjinary openings. 

 The females are hornless, and furnished with four 

 mammaj. Respecting the habits of the Bosch-boc, Mr. 

 Ogilby states that it never quits its forest haimts except 

 during bright moonlight nights, "when it comes out to 

 gi-aze on the border of the forest, or to make incursions 

 into the neighboming gardens and corn-fields. Its 

 voice resembles the barking of a dog, and its deceitful 

 tone sometimes leads the benighted traveller into tlie 

 most remote and lonely depths of the forest, in the vain 

 search after some human habitation, which he is all 

 the time leaving behind him. It is a slow runner, and 

 easily caught when surprised ; but it keeps close to the 

 woods, tlirough which it penetrates with gi'cat ease, 

 runnmg with the horns couched backwards along the 

 sides of tlie neck to prevent them from impeding its 

 coiu'se by striking against tlie branches, and having the 

 neck and throat frequently denuded by rubbing against 

 the miderwood, as it forces its passage tlirough the 

 thick covers." The Bosch-bocs are monogamous, 

 or solitary, the male and female being usually found 

 together, or accompanied only by one or t(vo offspring. 



THE KOODOO {Strejisicaros Kudu) is also an inlia- 

 bitant of the wilds of Caffi'aria and Southern Africa, 

 generally fiequentmg also the borders of streams, and 

 not refusmg to take to the water when occasion may 

 require. It is a very large and attractive species, 

 measm'uig upwards of iihie feet in extreme length, and 

 standing more than five feet high at the shoulders. 

 The horns are massive and beautifully curved mto two 

 wide-spreading spiral circles ; they are upwards of three 

 feet in length, of a brown colour, having their tips 

 directed outwards and upwards. The muzzle is broad, 

 the ears large and pointed at tlie ends, the forehead 

 black, tlie shoulders much elevated, and there are no 

 suborbital sinuses. The fur has a buff-grey colom* 



