336 MR. G. BLAINE ON THE ZEBRAS 



detected. Altliougli probably not more than ten days old, it 

 jumped up and trotted ofi" witli characteristic stilty action, bead 

 between forelegs, nrched back, and with the white dorsal crest 

 erected and spread like an open fan. I followed tvnd it cantered 

 aAvay, mnking miniature bounds in the air, in perfect mimicry of 

 an adult Springbuck. 1 encountered several more dming that 

 day, and they all Avent through the same acrobatic performance,, 

 nor were any of the natives with me fleet enough to run one 

 dovrn. 



Measurements in inches of an adult S Spi-ingbuck are here 

 given : — 



Head and body 51 i 



Tail \ 9| 



Height at shoulder 32 



Girth behind shoulder 31 



,, of neck at throat 14| 



„ ,, chest 21-i 



Length of ear 6^ * 



Besides Springbuck, the following Antelopes were seen within 

 20 miles of the coast: — Eland, Kudu, Gemsbuck [Oryx gazella),. 

 Steinbuck, Klipspringer, and Dik-Dik. Also Chapman's Zebra.. 

 Of these, the Eland and Chapman's Zebra were visitors that had 

 wandered down from the interior, attracted by the fine green 

 grass which had sprung up during the season of light intermittent 

 I'ains that fall between the months of December and April. The 

 remainder are regular denizens of this barren region. 



Oevx gazella. 



Above all other Antelopes the Gemsbuck seems to embody the 

 spirit of the African veldt. He is at home in vast shadeless 

 spaces under a fiery sun, reared on the pale desert grass and 

 sheltered by the scanty wait-a-bit thorn. The Kudu is more- 

 graceful, the Sable moi'e magnificent, the Eland more stately, but 

 the Gemsbuck has a character all his own. He is thoroughbred 

 of the desert. His classic outline suggests some hunting scene 

 depicted on an Assyrian bas-relief. Energy, strength, endurance 

 are the key-notes of his conformation. His frame is massive- 

 without being heavy, and, although devoid of hollows and angles,, 

 does not carry an ounce of superfluous flesh arid is supported upon 

 light clean-boned limbs. The straight rapier-like horns, dark 

 brilliant eye, and clean hard colour of the pelage, handsomely 

 varied with black and white, go to form, in mj' estimation, one of 

 the finest game animals in existence. This opinion I know is not 

 generally shared by others who have seen this Antelope in its 

 wild state. To me there is completeness both of character and 

 ap2?earance and such perfect adaptation to environment as always, 

 to draw my admiration. 



* Ear of $ 7 inches. 



