1894.] antelopes op the pungue' valley. 131 



1. Obeas canna. 



("Eland" of the Dutch and English.) 



This Antelope, though far from plentiful, is to be met with 

 occasionally in the more open country of the Pungue Valley. At 

 this time of the year (August and September) I never saw more 

 than a pair together, usually feeding upon young grass at a little 

 distance from timber-belts and never far from water. The skins 

 of the one or two that we shot were beautifully marked with white 

 stripes, very clearly defined, running in a downward direction, 

 and with a dark stripe along the backbone. The animals were 

 very fat and in splendid coat and condition, the largest standing 

 15 hands 2 inches. 



2. COBTTS ELLIPSIPBYMNUS. 



(" Waterbuck " of the English, " Kring-ghat " of the Dutch ; 

 native name " Mpeeva.") 



This Antelope is by far the commonest species throughout the 

 Pungue Valley, and is sometimes found in herds of quite 40 head, 

 the cows as a rule far outnumbering the bulls ; they are generally 

 discovered feeding upon the short grass of the dried vleys. They 

 are stoutly built and heavy, but active, standing when full-grown 

 about 12 hands. The largest pair of horns I procured measured 

 27| inches along the curve, the average length of those of a full- 

 grown bull being 26^ inches. They are lyrate, broadly annu- 

 lated to within a little of the points, but much more deeply at the 

 base than higher up. The hair of the Waterbuck is coarse and 

 thicker round the neck than elsewhere, and this is especially notice- 

 able in the cows, which are hornless. They vary much in colour, 

 from a dark slate to a light brown, with a white ring round the 

 rump, and in some cases, although not all, a white marking round 

 the lower portion of the neck. Their spoor is noticeable for being 

 very narrow and pointed. 



3. Catoblepas gobgon. 



(" Blue Wildebeest " of the English, " Blau Wildebeest" of the 

 Dutch; native name "Inkone-kone.") 



This Antelope is found in immense herds throughout the more 

 open country bordering the upper reaches of the Pungue, Dinga- 

 dingue, and Ulemna rivers. It is not at all uncommon to find 

 them feeding in company with herds of Waterbuck and Zebra, and 

 solitary specimens are frequently to be met with. When dis- 

 turbed they evince great excitement and go through the most 

 exaggerated antics, and, although usually shy and difficult of 

 approach, are victims to their great curiosity, owing to which trait 

 in their character they more than once fell to our rifles. 



They are of a bluish drab-colour, having brindled stripes down 

 the forequarters, from which they are also known as the Brindled 

 Gnu ; their bushy tail, mane, and beard are of coarse black hair ; 

 they stand about 12 hands, both sexes carrying horns, the average 

 spread of a bull's being about 26 inches. 



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