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JiECOJinS OF BIG GAME 



Mead of Male Oribi from Pungwe, South-East Africa. 



CAPE ORIBI (Oribia scoparia). 



Lila of the Swazis and Zulus. Puliikiidukamani of the Basutos. 



The oribis, grysbuck, khpspringer, and their alHes constitute a group 

 of comparatively small African antelopes presenting the following char- 

 acters in common. The muzzle has a naked tip, the headisdeyoid^of 

 a tuft of hair, large face-glands open beneath the eyes by a small aperture 

 on each side, the tail is short or moderate, and false hoofs may or may 

 not be retained. Horns are present only in the bucks, and are short, 

 almost, or quite, straight, with smoothed tips and ridged bases. The 

 upper molar teeth have tall and narrow crowns. The dik-diks are nearly 

 allied, but differ by their tufted heads, and elongated hairy muzzles. 

 The oribis, which are the largest members of the group, have normal 

 hoofs and hair, and are specially distinguished by the presence of a 

 bare glandular spot beneath each ear, and of a large opening in the 

 skull beneath each eye-socket. In the Cape species the horns of the 

 bucks are comparatively smooth and slender, with only their basal two 

 inches slightly ridged ; the tail being tufted and moderately bushy, 

 with its terminal two-thirds black. Height at shoulders, 24 inches. 

 Disiribzition. — Typically, Africa south of the Zambesi. On grassy plains 

 this graceful little antelope is still plentiful in many districts ; and the 

 gunner in search of bustard or francolin will often see one of them 

 start up from its form before his pointer, to scud away at a great rate, 

 occasionally making springs from side to side. At close quarters 



