362 Great and Small Game of Africa 



coast. The physical condition of the country does not seem to make any 

 difference to this gazelle, and it is found either in parts thickly covered 

 with trees and bushes, or on plains entirely destitute of timber ; but if any 

 preference is given, I think it is to the plains, for the herds congregated in 

 such localities are much larger than elsewhere, and sometimes contain 

 many hundred individuals. It cannot, however, be deemed a denizen of 

 the plains in the sense that oryx and hartebeest are, with which species the 

 aoul, as the natives call this gazelle, is accustomed to associate on most 

 friendly terms. 



Scemmerring's gazelle is not a graceful animal, having a short neck, 

 rather clumsy head, and a heavy body, and its general appearance being very 

 different from that generally associated with the light-footed gazelle. Of 

 its speed, however, there can be no question, for it is very fleet, and when 

 running it has the habit of jumping to a considerable height and for long 

 distances, not unlike the springbuck. By nature this is not a very wild 

 species nor particularly suspicious, but of course in those districts where it 

 is much hunted it becomes very wary. 



Apparently, like many of the animals in Somaliland, this gazelle is 

 independent of water, for in that thirsty land little of the fluid is obtain- 

 able, and the aoul is frequently met with many miles from any place where 

 an opportunity for allaying its thirst is offered. The entire country is so 

 destitute of water that all wild animals inhabiting it must have great diffi- 

 culty in procuring it, since, with the exception of pools in the brief rainy 

 season, a supply can only be obtained by digging in the dry beds of the 

 rivers, a proceeding entirely beyond the power of a ruminant. As a rule 

 the aoul is easy to approach within shooting distance, that is, between one 

 and two hundred yards, though sometimes it will be necessary to shoot 

 farther than this. When among bushes, it is comparatively easy to get 

 quite near this animal, if the stalk is made with knowledge and judgment. 

 Aoul can be distinguished for a long distance, the large white patch on the 



