Zoo Notes 
REED-BUCK. 
ALTHOUGH only about a yard high at the 
shoulder, and thus not a large 
animal, the Reed-Buek (Cervi- 
capra arundinum) is still a 
striking antelope on account of the beauty of 
its proportions and the graceful curve of its 
moderate-sized horns. Its colour is also attrac- 
tive, being a warm fawn, while the rather 
large tail is mostly white and decidedly 
bushy. When retreating from an enemy, the 
animal jerks it up so as to 
Reed=Buck. 
show the white under- 
surface, after the rabbit 
fashion. As its name im- 
plies, the reed-buck haunts 
reedy ground, and hence the 
vicinity of water, like the 
water-buck (Cobus ellipsi- 
prymmus), to which it has 
some affinity; but unlike 
that animal, it is not given 
to entering the water, and 
will leave its haunts when 
they become flooded. 
Opinions differ about the 
quality of its flesh, Messrs. 
Nicolls and Eglington con- 
sidering it scarcely palatable, 
while Capt. Crawshay places 
only that of the impala and 
eland above it. The range 
Photos by W. P. Dand 
339 
of this antelope in Africa 
is southerly, but extends to 
Angola on the west and 
Mozambique on the east 
side. It is said not to do 
well in captivity, but the 
present specimen has been 
in the Gardens since April, 
1897, and still looks well, 
so that we may anticipate 
for it a different lot from 
that of the few specimens 
the Society has previously 
possessed, all of which died 
early. 
Wa 
THE remarkable antelope 
which is known 
White Oryx. by this name at 
once attracts 
attention by its somewhat horse-like shape 
and curved horns, the other equine-looking 
antelopes of the genus Oryz, such as the 
Beisa, being straight-horned. They are all 
exceedingly handsome animals, but fierce and 
dangerous in disposition. Their formidable 
nature was known to the classical ancients, 
and is a matter of common observation to-day. 
The present species 1s conspicuous by reason 
of the contrast between its chestnut neck and 
o ross 
SASS 
0, F.Z.S. 
WHITE ORYX. 
