1896.] ON THE GAZELLES OF TUNISIA. 815 



4. On the Gazelles of Tunisia. 



By Joseph S. Whitaker, F.Z.S. 



[Received October 1, 1896.] 



Gazblla dohoas (Linn.). 



Tlie common Dorcas Gazelle is to be met with throughout the 

 greater part of Central and Southern Tunisia, frequenting the vast 

 semi-desert plains abundant iu those districts, but not the more 

 sandy inland country of the extreme south of the Eegency, where 

 it is replaced by another species. So far as I can ascertain, the 

 Dorcas Gazelle never occurs in the Tell country ; but I have found 

 it in the neighbourhood of Kairouan, which is probably the 

 extreme northern limit of the range of this species in the Eegency. 

 On the extensive plains to the west of Gafsa I have found it 

 particularly abundant ; and 1 understand it is plentiful in the 

 neighbourhood of the Chott Djerid, and throughout a considerable 

 portion of the coast-country of the south, but not in the true 

 desert further inland, where sand-dunes take the place of the 

 stony scrub-covered plains. It may occasionally stray into the 

 sand country, but this is exceptional. 



In winter the Dorcas Gazelle congregates in large herds, often 

 numbering over one hundred individuals ; but in spring these 

 herds break up, and one then meets with the Gazelles in small 

 parties or singly. The female G. dorcas, I am told, gives birth to 

 but one young one at a time, and this generally iu the month of 

 April. 



The horns of this species vary considerably both in size and in 

 shape. As a rule, those of the adult male are stout, deeply 

 annulate, and lyrate, measuring from 10 to 13 inches in length 

 along the front curve ; those of the female are much shorter, 

 straighter, smoother, and more slender. 



1 may here mention that I have specimens of the Dorcas 

 Gazelle from the country south of the Ohott Djerid, which are 

 somewhat paler in colour than the ordinary type. No doubt this 

 A'ariation in colouring is due to some difference in the nature of 

 the soil and surroundings of the districts from whence these 

 particular specimens came. 



Gazblla cuviebi (Ogilby). 



The Mountain Gazelle, the Udmi or Edem of the Arabs — the 

 Tunisians use the latter name — is to be found sparingly on most 

 of the mountains throughout the Tunisian Regency. Essentially 

 a mountain species, as its name implies, it never occurs, so far as I 

 am aware, on the plains, or at any distance from hilly country. 



I have met with the Edmi, and obtained specimens of it, on 

 some of the higher ranges near Kasrin, in Central Tunis, and have 

 found it in the south near Gafsa and Tamerza. In the north of 

 the Regency it seems to occur on tlie mountains near Zaghouan, 

 the extreme eastein range of the Atlas, and in the neighbourhood 



Peoo. Zool. Soo.— 1896, No. LIII. 53 



