RUMINATING QUADRUPEDS 141 



Sight it is difficult to say whether the horse, huffalo, or deer pre- 

 dominates in its form. It, however, belongs to neither of "these 

 animals, but is one of the bovine antelopes. The liorns cover the 

 top of the forehead, and then, sweeping downwards over the face, 

 turn boldly upwards with a sharp curve. The neck is furnished 

 with a mane like that of the horse, and the legs are formed like 

 those of the stag. It is a very swift animal, and when provoked, 

 very dangerous. When it attacks an opponent it drops on its 

 knees, and then springs forward with such force that, unless he is 

 extremely wary and active, he cannot avoid its shock. When first 

 alarmed, its movements are very grotesque, and are thus described 

 by Gumming : " When the hunter approaches the old bulls, they 

 commence whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric 

 manner ; then springing suddenly into the air, they begin prancing 

 and capering, and pursue each other in circles at their utmost 

 speed. Suddenly, they all pull up together, to overhaul the in- 

 truder, when two of the bulls will often commence fighting in the 

 most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every shock ; then 

 quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, whirl their tails 

 with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain enveloped in a 

 cloud of dust." 



The Kudu is a native of South Africa, living along the 

 wooded borders of rivers. It is chiefly remarkable for its beauti- 

 fully shaped horns, which are about four feet in length, and twisted 

 into a large spiral of about two turns and a half. A bold ridge 

 runs along the horns and follows their curvature. When hard 

 pressed it always takes to the water, and endeavors to escape by its 

 powers of swimming. Although a large animal, nearly four feet 

 in height, it can leap with wonderful activity. The weight of the 

 horns is very considerable, and partly to relieve itself of that 

 weight, and partly to guard them from entanglement in the bushes 

 among which it lives and on which it feeds, it carries its head 

 backwards, so that the horns rest on its shoulders. 



The Nylghau, one of the largest and most magnificent of 

 the antelopes, inhabits the forests of India. It is extremely 

 vicious, and cannot be approached without danger. Its method 



