The Cape Hartebeest ici 



put at about 4 feet. In extreme length it attains to about 8 feet, or a 

 little over. In shape and appearance this antelope scarcely gives the idea 

 of the extraordinary fleetness and staying powers for which it is so remark- 

 able. Its humped and elevated withers, peculiar drooping quarters, and 

 heavy elongated head somewhat belie its splendid powers of galloping. 

 The head and face are inordinately long. The stout horns, which average 

 about 20 inches over the curve, are strongly corrugated until near the 

 points. They spring from a very high and prolonged frontal ridge, rise 

 upwards for several inches, and then, bending slightly forward, turn at an 

 abrupt angle sharply back. The longest recorded pair of horns measure 

 25 inches. The horns of old bulls are strong and massive, and frequently a 

 good deal worn and blunted at the tips. Those of the females are more 

 slender. Hartebeests seldom, if ever, use their horns against mankind, 

 even when wounded and at bay. Nor, if they did so, would these weapons, 

 from their shape, be of much avail. But among themselves they may be 

 seen butting and fighting, very often down upon their knees like a pair of 

 lambs. The eyes are set very high in the head ; they are reddish in hue, 

 and from their position naturally command a wide field of vision. The 

 brain is situated also very high up in the skull. The general colouring of 

 the hartebeest is a bright reddish-brown, which darkens considerably upon 

 the back, and is there distinguished, in living specimens, by a curious 

 purplish tint. A noticeable patch of yellowish-white marks the rump on 

 either side of the tail. The skin is, and has always been, in great demand 

 among the various Bechuana tribes for making the handsome cloaks affected 

 by these people. The face is black, while dark streaks are also noticeable 

 on the outer parts of the fore and hind legs. There is a remarkable tuft or 

 whorl of hair on either side of the face, just beneath the eyes. The black 

 tail is well tufted, reaches below the hocks, and is remarkable for a curious 

 reddish tinge if the hair is held towards the light and closely examined. 

 The legs are clean, fine, hard, and shapely, while the hocks are well let 



