190 



Great and Small Game of Africa 



feared that blesboks will continue to decline gradually in numbers until 



they become extinct. 



These handsome and most characteristic antelopes always run right in 



the teeth of the wind, and, when at speed, usually carry the head very low — 



so much so that they have been compared by Cornwallis Harris to a pack 



of harriers in full cry. They are among the swiftest of all the antelopes, 



surpassing even the fleet and marvellously agile springbok, and rivalling, as 



some contend, even the peerless tsessebe. In their slow paces they are, 



like the hartebeest and tsessebe, somewhat heavy-looking and deceptive ; 



but when really extended their action is magnificent, they cover the 



ground at an amazing pace, and exhibit wonderful staying capacity. The 



flesh of these antelopes is very good eating. The ewes drop their young 



ordinarily in the months of September and October. 



H. A. Bryden. 



The Tsessebe or S ass a is y (Damaliscus lunatus) 



Bastard or Zulu Hartebeest of the Boers ; Mzansi of the Swazis 

 and Matonga ; Inkolomo of the Matabele ; T'sessebe of the 

 Bechuanas ; Inkalowane of the Transvaal Basuto 



The tsessebe, or sassaby, as it is sometimes — but I think incorrectly — 

 written, is one of the larger antelopes to which few sportsmen ever pay 

 much attention, partly on account of the fact that it carries a very poor 

 head, and partly because it " takes it out " of one's horses too much to race 

 them. The Bubaline antelopes, with their near allies the gnus, belong to the 

 great group of true antelopes, the ring-horned Bovidte, the tsessebe being 

 one of a genus comprising many nearly allied species. They differ from 

 the gnus in having longer heads and narrower muzzles, ringed and some- 

 times lyrate horns, and in the absence of mane on neck and throat. The 

 ears are long and narrow, and thickly covered inside with hair, the 



