194 Great and Small Game of Africa 



THE GNUS OR WILDEBEESTS 



Genus ConnochjETes 



Gnus are grotesque- looking ruminants, with disproportionately large 

 heads, distinguished from both genera of hartebeests by the tufts of hair on 

 their faces, their maned necks, very broad muzzles, doubly -curved smooth 

 horns, and long, horse-like tails. They further differ by the presence of 

 four teats to the udders of the females, in which respect, as in the form 

 of the horns, they present a superficial approximation to the oxen. Their 

 ground-colour varies from gray to dark brown, with or without transverse 

 stripes, the long hair of the mane and tail being either black or white. 

 The smooth horns are expanded at their bases, then incline outwards or 

 downwards, while their terminal halves are suddenly bent upwards. Two 

 well-marked species, differing widely in the curvature of the horns, may be 

 recognised, the first of these being divisible into three more or less defined 

 local races, often regarded as species. 



i. Brindled Gnu {Connoch<etes taurinus). 



a. Typical race (C. taurinus lypicus). 



b. White-bearded race (C. taurinus albojubatus). 



c. Nyasa race (C. taurinus johnstoni). 

 2. White-tailed Gnu (Connochtetes gnu). 



The Brindled Gnu or Blue Wildebeest {Connochates taurinus typicus) 

 The brindled gnu is much better known in South Africa by its Dutch 

 name, blaauw -wildebeest, which is, of course, translated by all Englishmen 

 — home-born and Afrikanders — into blue wildebeest. The Hottentot name 

 for the animal was Kaop, signifying Baas, or master, a name now seldom 

 used. The Bechuana name is Kokoon ; the Basuto, Ikokoni ; the Matabele, 

 Inkone-Kone ; the Zulu and Swazi, Inkongone ; while the Makalakas call it 

 Ee-vum/ui. 



