ANTELOPES. 



3i5 



and Mr. Selous states that at the present day a solitary wildebeest may frequently 

 be observed feeding among a herd of sassabi or zebra. Both species of wildebeest 

 are characterised by their speed and endurance. Describing the habits and appear- 

 ance of the white-tailed species, Gordon Cumming writes as follows : — " The black 

 wildebeests, which also cover the entire length and breadth of the blessbok country, 

 in herds averaging from twenty to fifty, have no regular course, like the blessboks. 

 Unless driven by a large field of hunters, they do not leave their ground, although 

 disturbed. Wheeling about in endless circles, and performing the most extraordinary 

 varieties of intricate evolutions, the shaggy herds of these eccentric and fierce- 



E^s^^LN 



■r' ■"■■/!.."* - ' '' ->~."i*iv' '■■-' - - -" 



WHITE-TAILED WILDEBEESTS CURVETING KOUXD A WAGGON. 



looking animals caper and gambol round the hunter on every side. While he is 

 riding hard to obtain a shot at a herd in front of him, other herds .uv charging 

 down wind on his right and left, and, having described a number of circular move- 

 ments, they take up positions upon the very ground across which he rode only a 

 few minutes before. Singly, and in small troops of four or five individuals, tin- 

 old bull wildebeests may be seen stationed at intervals throughout the plains, 

 standing motionless during a whole forenoon, coolly watching with a philosophic 

 eye the movements of the other game, uttering a loud snorting noise, and also a 

 short sharp cry which is peculiar to them. When the hunter approaches these 

 old bulls, they commence whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric 

 manner; then, springing into the air, begin prancing and capering, and pursue each 

 other in circles at their utmost speed. Suddenly they all pull up together to over- 



