1881.] MR. F, C. SELOUS ON AFRICAN ANTELOPES. 759 



ten to twenty individuals. On the Zambesi and all its tributaries 

 eastward of the Victoria Falls it is very plentiful, but is never found 

 in herds of more than about twenty together. On the Chobe and 

 its outlet the Santa it is to be met with sparingly; but on the Mababe 

 and Botletlie rivers I did not meet with any at all during my visit 

 there in 1879. It is most partial to steep stony hills, and is often 

 found at a distance of more than a mile from the nearest river, for 

 which, however, it always makes when pursued. Though a heavy- 

 looking beast, it can clamber with wonderful speed and sureness of 

 foot up and down the steepest hillsides. It appears to me that the 

 Waterbucks found on the Upper Zambesi and its tributaries do not 

 attain to the same size as those found on the Limpopo. On the 

 latter river the horns often attain to a length of over 30 inches, whilst 

 on the Zambesi and its tributaries, such as the Omniati and Ganyane 

 rivers, which take their rise in the high plateau of the Mashuna 

 country, it is exceptional to obtain a pair measuring over 28 inches ; 

 and the longest I have met with were a pair the bearer of which I 

 shot myself last year (1880) on the banks of the Ganyane river. 

 These horns measured 31 inches along the curve. The flesh of the 

 Waterbuck is very coarse and rather strong-tasted ; and when they 

 become fat the fat sticks to the mouth and clogs on the teeth, unless 

 eaten when very hot. Wherever I have seen them "Waterbucks 

 Tary much in colour, some being reddish brown, others a very dark 

 grey. 



12. CoBus vARDONi. (Plate LXV.) 



Heleotragus vardoni, Kirk, P. Z. S. 1864, p. 657. 



{Impookoo of the Masubias.) 



The only place where I myself met with this Antelope was in a 

 small tract of country extending along the southern bankof the Chobe 

 for about sixty miles westwards from its junction with the Zambesi. 

 ^ They are never found at more than 200 or 300 yards from the 

 river, and are usually to be seen cropping the short grass along the 

 water's edge, or lying in the shade of the trees and bushes scattered 

 over the alluvial flats which have been formed here and there by the 

 shifting of the river's bed. Now and then a few must wander east- 

 wards along the southern bank of the Zambesi as far as the Victoria 

 Falls, as I saw my friend Mr. J. L. Garden shoot one in 1874 which 

 was standing on the very brink of the precipice. This, however, is 

 the only one I have ever seen to the east of Umparira, though I have 

 been several times backwards and forwards along the river's bank 

 between that place and the Victoria Falls since. Along the Upper 

 Zambesi from Sesheke to the Baroutse valley the natives report them 

 common. Why the Pookoo does not extend its range further west- 

 wards along the southern bank of the Chobe lam at a loss to under- 

 stand, as there does not appear to be any change in the character of 

 the country or vegetation to account for it. 



In size this Antelope stands about the same height at the shoulder 

 as the Impala, but, being stouter built, must weigh considerably 

 more. The colour is a uniform foxy red, the hair along the back 



