THE SABLE ANTELOPE 107 



are still to be met with ; and although nowadays 

 nowhere numerous in the once fine hunting 

 regions of the Beira districts, they existed formerly 

 in large numbers in Cheringoma and Goron- 

 goza. 



In point of beauty I do not consider it possible 

 to compare the sable antelope with his usually 

 acknowledged and, in the opinion of most ob- 

 servers, successful rival the kudu. They belong 

 to two wholly different types, whose grace and 

 charm arise from the possession of totally 

 dissimilar features. It would be as logical to 

 compare the appearance of a lady robed in a 

 masterly jet-black creation by Paquin with 

 another present on the same occasion and 

 garbed in a soft mouse-grey confection by Worth. 

 Both are perfectly turned out, both present a 

 charming and satisfying tout ensemble, and yet 

 each differs in all respects essentially from the 

 other. 



The sable is an animal of vivid contrasts. 

 Take, for example, an elderly bull, who, having 

 passed the grand climacteric, is nevertheless 

 still in possession of that proud and majestic 

 appearance which has stamped the members 

 of his race with such an air of resolution and 

 power. His massive, deeply annulated horns 

 sweep backward almost in the form of a semi- 

 circle for, it may be, anything between 40 and 

 50 inches, and are thick and massive at the base. 

 His coat, almost coal-black upon the back and 

 withers, which are topped by a stiff fringe or 

 mane, is almost pure white under the belly 



