THE WATER-BUCK 123 



As I have just stated, this handsome antelope 

 possesses a build and carriage not unlike those of 

 the British stag. The females carry no horns, but 

 those of the male, which, springing from the 

 head, extend forward and outward for from 

 25 to 30 inches, are deeply ringed, majestic, and 

 form a fine trophy. In colour the water -buck is 

 darkish grey, and his coat, coarse and very long, 

 increases beneath the chin to 3 or 4 inches in 

 length. The corners of the mouth, and a slight 

 smudge in front of each eye, are white, and he 

 carries on the rump a curious whitish ring. The 

 females, smaller than the bull, and of a paler shade 

 of grey, are, I think, even somewhat hairier still ; 

 and this appearance would seem to lend colour to 

 the suspicion that this fine animal has strayed 

 accidentally away from some northerly latitude, 

 for which he was by nature intended, and found 

 his way to Africa by mistake. In any case, 

 he is a distinct ornament to the country of his 

 choice, and, as he is perfectly inoffensive, we 

 may well express a hope that he may long remain 

 there. 



Water-buck have been extremely well named, 

 as there is probably no antelope, if we except the 

 Situtunga of the Mweru swamps and the Letchwe 

 of the middle course of the Loangwa River, pos- 

 sessed of a nature so passionately fond of water. 

 But as neither of the two last-named animals is 

 known to occur in the region we are considering, 

 we need not, I think, concern ourselves with 

 them. I have more than once, when in pursuit 

 of wounded water-buck, seen them take to such 



