174 Great and Small Game of Africa 



of spokes (sharpened at the end pointing to the centre), is laid over a 

 circular hole dug in a path or crossing much frequented by game, and on 

 the outer edge of this the loop of one end of the snare is laid, a log being 

 attached to the other. On an antelope treading on this trap (which is 

 covered over with grass, etc.) its foot goes through the centre of the 

 wheel ; the converging spokes hold fast to its fetlock, preventing the noose 

 from slipping off until the latter is drawn tight. Then it sets off with the 

 log dragging and bumping beside or behind it, alternately making short 

 bursts and turning to face the log, which it cannot shake off, until, tired 

 out, it falls an easy prey to the trapper." 



The herds used to come down in the evening or during the night to 

 drink at the lake, and it was often in their paths leading to the water that 

 these snares were set. I have seen the Reshiat natives trying to cut them 

 off when a large herd had approached the shore and chasing them with 

 their spears, but they never seemed to kill any ; and indeed they are such 

 poor hunters that the topi may sometimes be seen in the early morning 

 feeding quite close up to their kraals, having apparently little fear of them. 



Both sexes are horned, the horns of the cow being very similar to, but 

 slightly smaller than those of the bull. Those of my best male specimen 

 measure 19 inches along the front curve. 



I have referred to this animal as the " topi " ; but whether the 

 species is identical everywhere in British East Africa, or whether the fine 

 distinctions recently drawn between its representatives in different regions 

 (possibly after all mere local varieties) would differentiate the Lake Rudolph 

 type from that of the coast or Uganda, I will not venture to hazard an 

 opinion ; probably there may eventually be found to be a regular gradation 

 from the " topi " to the " tiang," and possibly to the " korrigum " also. 



A. H. Neumann. 



