2o6 



RECORDS OF BIG GA^IE 



Skull and Horns of Impala, from a specimen shot by A. II. Neumann. 



IMP ALA (.Slpyceros melampus). 



Inzero of the Masubias. 

 Swalah of the Swahilis. 



Mpala in the Barotse, Lake Ngami, 

 and the Chilala and Chibisa. 



This beautiful impala, or pala, differs from all the members of the 



gazelle group by the absence of the lateral hoofs ; its specific name 



(black-footed) being taken from the pair of tufts of black hair on 



each hind foot. The horns of the bucks, which are of considerable 



length in proportion to the size of the animal, show a characteristic 



and graceful double curvature ; and the bright foxy red hue of the 



shining fur of the upper parts aids in the easy identification of the 



species. Height at shoulder about 33 inches. The Boer name of 



rooibok (red buck) is happily chosen. Weight about i 10 lbs. 



Distribution. — Southern and South-Eastern Africa, extending as far 



north as Lower Kordofan. In Angola replaced by a closely allied 



form {Ai. petersi), usually regarded as a distinct species, but which 



may be merely a local race ; it is distinguished by the presence of 



a purplish black streak down the middle of the face and another 



