The Abyssinian Oribi 247 



cooler instead of hotter every minute, and the grass is generally dry, and 

 therefore pleasanter to crawl through. 



The localities in which this oribi is found are usually very well adapted 

 for stalking. Even on the Mau plateau, after a recent grass-fire, there is 

 sufficient covert in the shape of innumerable small ant-heaps ; whilst in 

 Nandi, Kavirondo, Kitosh, and Turkwel there is sufficient scrub to hide 

 the stalker if he takes ordinary care. It must not be supposed, however, 

 that because this little antelope is in the habit of lying very close in long 

 grass, and almost allowing itself to be trodden on, and of standing quite 

 still intently gazing at the intruder, hoping thereby to escape observation, 

 it is at all times easy to approach without the usual precautions being 

 taken in regard to wind, keeping out of sight, etc. When once alarmed, 

 though they will as a rule not go far, it is well to give them time to settle 

 down before following in the direction they were seen to go in, as they 

 are very wary, and much given to doubling about to the right or left of 

 the line of their retreat. Often have I seen them bounding away to one 

 side of, and almost on a level with me, when all the time I expected to see 

 them somewhere straight in front. If sought after when the grass is long, 

 it is better to go out when the sun is well up and they are lying down, as 

 their habit of lying so close will allow of a very near approach. Under 

 these circumstances a rifle is practically useless, and far better results will 

 be had with a gun and B.B. or S.S.G. shot, by shooting a trifle ahead of 

 the moving grass, the beast itself being usually invisible for the first 30 

 or 40 yards, or by waiting until it bounds into the air, when it must 

 be taken on the hop. When hit and wounded only slightly they will lie 

 down within a very short distance, if not almost at once. They are, how- 

 ever, very tenacious of life, and will go off and sometimes get clean away 

 with the most terrible wounds. A good dog is invaluable for this kind 

 of shooting. 



Their note of alarm is a sharp shrill whistle very like a reed-buck's 



