216 SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMALS 



It inhabits the swamps and marshy river banks of 

 Lake Ngami and Chobi River areas within our limits, 

 and beyond Zambesia, the regions of Lake Mw^eru and 

 Bangweolo. Dr. Livingstone first met with this antelope 

 on the Zambesi in 1852, but it was not until 1864 that 

 the northern form was described, and in 1898 the 

 southern form was separated and named after Selous by 

 Rothschild. 



The Sitatunga lives in pairs or small parties amongst 

 the reedbeds of the lakes, swamps and rivers, hiding 

 during the heat of the day, and feeding upon the young 

 shoots of reeds, grass, &c., at night. Owing to the 

 peculiar structure of its feet it can walk easily on the 

 tangle of aquatic weeds and grass in its favourite haunts, 

 but is very clumsy on dry land. When pursued it takes 

 to the water and swims well. Its flesh is said to be 

 highly flavoured and not very palatable. 



We have posesssed two rams of this species in the 

 National collection, one that lived for five years, and died 

 of an abscess in the pelvis, and a second which un- 

 fortunately arrived with a broken hip and had to be 

 destroyed. Both came from near Livingstone, Northern 

 Rhodesia. A ewe now in the collection came from the 

 Kafue River and was presented by Mr. Ben Woest of 

 Mazabuka. 



Genus STREPSICEROS. 



Large antelopes resembling the last genus in general 

 characters, but the horns, which the male alone carries, 

 are enormously long and form several complete spirals. 

 Ears large. Antorbital gland small. 



