40 



POPULAK OFFICIAL GUIDE. 



BEATRIX ANTELOPE 



BLESSBOK 



try. It is breeding regularly here, and the offspring mature 

 successfully. The largest Leucoryx horns on record meas- 

 ure 39^<8 inches. 



The Beisa Antelope, (Oryx beisa), is a good representative 

 of the group of straight-horned antelopes found in the genus 

 Oryx. Of all the long-horned species, the two Beisas and 

 the Gemsbok of Africa, and the Beatrix of Arabia, are the 

 only species possessed of horns that are practically straight 

 from base to tip. The Gemsbok is the largest and most 

 showy species, being painted like a harlequin, in a startling 

 pattern of roan, black and white. The Beisa is a good 

 second, however. The horns of all these antelopes grow 

 to great length, and are excellent weapons for use in 

 encounters with the smaller game-killing carnivores. The 

 largest horns of record measure 40 inches. 



The Beisa inhabits eastern Central Africa, from Suakin 

 on the Red Sea southward to the Equator. 



The Beatrix Antelope, (Oryx beatrix), of the Arabian 

 Desert, is one of the rarest antelopes to be found in cap- 

 tivity, and at this date this interesting species is represented 

 by a fine pair of specimens. The longest horns of record 

 measure 26 inches. Very few sportsmen have seen this 

 animal in its native haunts. Our pair has been breeding 

 for three years, and has reared two young. 



The Sable Antelope, (Hippotragus niger), is by many 

 persons regarded as the handsomest of all the numerous 

 species of African antelopes. In appearance it is very proud 

 and high-headed ; it has imposing horns that sweep backward 

 in a semicircular carve; its large eyes and alert air betoken 

 keen intelligence, and its glossy black coat, marked with pure 



