Soemmerring's Gazelle 363 



hind-quarters always showing very distinctly, and causing them easily to be 

 recognised from the other animals with which at the time they may be 

 associated. 



This gazelle is possessed of a great deal of curiosity, and when it per- 

 ceives any unusual object, will stand motionless for a considerable time 

 gazing at it ; and, even after its fears have gained the ascendency, and it has 

 commenced to run, it will, after going a short distance, stop and turn to 

 look again at the cause of its fears. Although of a rather large size, at 

 least for a gazelle, the aoul presents but a small mark, and unless the bullet 

 strikes a vital spot, the animal will probably escape. Even a broken leg 

 does not appear to incommode it much, nor hinder it from running at full 

 speed on the three that are sound. 



Both sexes possess horns, which vary greatly in length and in their 

 curves. The shape is generally lyrate, the points turning inward and 

 forward. Sometimes those of the male may measure 20 inches and 

 more along the curve, but the average is much less than this, something 

 like 12 or 14 inches. The smaller pairs are, however, much more 

 shapely than those of the extreme lengths, the latter losing much of 

 the characteristic graceful curve. The horns of the female are quite 

 slender, and do not possess nearly as much curve as those of the male. 



In Somaliland I should judge the females drop their fawns in April, 

 for in June, when I arrived south of the Haud beyond Toyo plain, very 

 many were seen that seemed from four to eight weeks old. These would 

 run along by the side of their mothers, and appeared to have no difficulty 

 in keeping up with the bunch or herd, even when going at full speed. 

 Although a fine animal, yet, on account of its somewhat heavy form, 

 Scemmerring's does not equal in beauty and grace many other species of 

 gazelle. D. G. Elliot. 



