NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



off the fine curved horns to great advantage. 

 It i? very fleet, but can easily be run down by 

 a well-mounted man. It is impossible, however, 

 to overtake a Sable, unless heavy in calf, on an 

 ordinary South African shooting-pony. 



The period at which the calves are born appears 

 to vary. In South-East Africa, according to Major 

 Stevenson-Hamilton, it is usually in January and 

 February, and in Rhodesia mostly during November 

 and December. F. C. Selous states the bulk of 

 them calve during September and October. The 

 calving period would thus seem to extend from 

 about September to February, varying according 

 to the part of the country inhabited by this 

 antelope. 



They breed freely in captivity when allowed to 

 run in a large enclosure. 



The Sable averages about 50 inches at the 

 shoulders, although a herd bull may attain a height 

 of 56 inches. 



The upper parts of the body and legs are dark 

 reddish-brown of varying shades to black in the 

 adult males. The under parts and portions of the 

 face are white ; neck maned ; tail long, with tuft 

 of black hair at the end. 



The female is horned. 



no 



