286 



UNGULATES. 



the throat. The horns of the males not unfrequently attain a length of 42 or 43 

 inches, but they may reach as much as 44^ or even 46 inches along the curve. 

 In the females 36 inches seems to be the maximum. 



Distribution and The sable antelope is a southern species, ranging some distance 



Habits. to the north of the Zambesi, and being now most abundant in 



Mashonaland. This antelope, unlike the various species of oryx, generally 



THE SABLE ANTELOPE AND THE ROAN ANTELOPE (^ liat. Size). 



frequents forest-clad highlands. In Mashonaland, according to Mr. Selous, it 

 is commonly met with in herds of from ten to twenty individuals, although 

 occasionally as many as fifty may be seen together. The same writer observes 

 that, " as a rule, the sable antelope runs very swiftly and has good bottom ; but 

 in this respect different individuals differ considerably, as is the case with all 

 animals, and I have run down without much difficulty individual sable antelopes 



