The Roan Antelope 413 



H. bakeri will no doubt be brought home, and though they will probably 

 be found to vary slightly in coloration, I believe it will be impossible 

 to separate them specifically. The measurements and weights of the 

 largest cow killed by myself are as follows, and show that in regard to 

 size the roan comes next in order to the eland : — Total length, 8 feet 

 7 inches ; height at shoulder, 4 feet 5 inches ; tail, 1 foot 7 inches ; 

 weight, 516 lbs. F.J.Jackson. 



In West Africa 



Hausa Name, Gwenke ; Yoruba, Ajataku ; Igara, Chachangaloo ; 

 Mandingo, Da kevoi ; Angola, Palanca 



The roan antelope is without doubt the finest antelope to be found in 

 West Africa. Standing at its best 15 hands high, with compact, pony-like 

 body, strong quarters, deep shoulder, broad chest, with its large fearless 

 eye set in its square equine head, which is held firmly erect, and with the 

 clean, fine, antelopean lines of its legs, it is a most magnificent animal. Its 

 presence is almost regal, and since it stands, as though aware of its 

 superiority of form and size, firmly set upon its feet, graceful, yet strong in 

 all its lines, it is quite a king amongst West African antelope in its nobility 

 of port and its apparent contempt for all ignobler forms of life. 



It rarely herds together in any numbers, and even in this respect it 

 would almost appear that each pair must retain their own individuality 

 and be monarchs unto themselves. 



The effect of the equine body and head upon the antelope legs is very 

 curious at first sight, and one might, on a priori grounds, venture to think 

 that the strength of the body frame would detract from the grace of the 

 legs ; but as a matter of fact they harmonise in a fashion which can only be 

 appreciated by those who have seen and studied them at rest and in motion. 



In colour the body of the West African roan antelope is rufous-gray, 

 shading off into a gray-white on the under surfaces. Its fore-legs are black 



