The Blue Wildebeest 195 



The blue wildebeest, as it may be best called, stands from 4 feet 3 inches 

 to 4 feet 5 inches at the shoulder, and in extreme length will measure about 

 9 feet 6 inches to 9 feet 8 inches. Like its congener the black wildebeest, 

 it is among the most curious and singular of nature's creations. The 

 general colouring of the animal is a bluish drab, strongly marked by lateral 

 brindles or stripes of a much darker shade upon the neck and fore-quarters. 

 The neck is not arched, as with the black wildebeest. The head is heavy, 

 cumbrous, and somewhat buffalo-like, and seems altogether out of pro- 

 portion to the rest of the animal. The profile is somewhat aquiline, and the 

 fore part of the face covered with thick shaggy black hair. The muzzle 

 is broad, square, and very ox-like. The horns are set horizontally upon the 

 head and bend inwards at the points, much as do those of the buffalo. 

 They are formidable weapons of defence, and although the blue wildebeest 

 is by no means so fierce and sinister a creature as its cousin the black 

 wildebeest, it should be approached with caution, when wounded and at 

 bay, by the dismounted sportsman. Dogs are occasionally killed or badly 

 wounded when baying these animals. The longest pair of horns of the 

 blue wildebeest, registered by Mr. Rowland Ward in his Records of Big 

 Game, measures 31^ inches over the curve. The widest palm measure- 

 ment is 13^ inches, while the widest measurement between the tips of 

 the horns is 2 1 inches. A fair average bull's head may be put down at 

 from 19 to 20 inches over the horn curve. The neck of the animal is 

 surmounted by a long black mane, partially upstanding, partially pendent. 

 This copious mane continues a little beyond the withers. The chin is 

 covered with more of this thick and shaggy black hair, which extends 

 down the dewlap as far as the breast. The animal is further distinguished by 

 a long flowing black switch tail, reaching nearly to the ground. The ears 

 are fairly large and pointed, while the eyes are set very high up in the head. 

 The body of this wildebeest slopes from the withers towards the rump, and 

 the animal has a somewhat mulish appearance. The legs are those of a 



