176 THE NYLGHAU. 
months together without drinking, and even when the herbage is so dry 
that it crumbles into powder in the hand, the Eland preserves its good 
condition, and is, moreover, found to contain water in its stomach if opened. 
For its abstinence from liquids the Eland compensates by its ravenous appetite 
for solid food, and is so large a feeder that the expense of keeping the 
animal would be almost too great for any one who endeavoured to domesticate 
the animal in England with any hope of profit. 
PASSING from Africa to Asia, we find a curious and handsome Antelope, 
partaking of many of the characteristics which are found in the Koodoo and 
Bosch-bok. ‘This is the NYLGHAU, an inhabitant of the thickly-wooded 
districts of India. 
This magnificent Antelope is rather more than four feet high at the 
shoulders, and its general colour is a slate-blue. The face is marked with 
brown or sepia; the long neck is furnished with a bold dark mane, and a 
long tuft of course hair hangs from the throat. The female is smaller than 
her mate, and hornless. Her 
coat is generally a reddish 
grey, instead of partaking of 
the slate-blue tint which 
colours the form of the male. 
The hind legs of this animal 
are rather shorter than the 
forelegs. Its name, Nylghau, 
is of Persian origin, and 
signifies “‘ Blue Ox,” 
It does not seem to be of 
a social disposition, and is 
generally found in pairs in- 
habiting the borders of the 
jungle. There are, however, 
many examples of solitary 
males. It is ashy and wary 
animal, and the hunter who 
NYLGHAU.—(Lortax tragocamelus.) desires to shoot one of these 
animals is obliged to exert 
his bush-craft to the utmost in order to attain his purpose. To securea 
Nylghau requires a good marksman as well as a good stalker, for the animal 
is very tenacious of life, and if not struck in the proper spot will carry off a 
heavy bullet without seeming to be much the worse at the time. The native 
chiefs are fond of hunting the Nylghau, and employ in the chase a whole 
army of beaters and trackers, so that the poor animal has no chance of fair 
play. These hunts are not without their excitement, for the Nylghau’s 
temper is of the shortest, and when it feels itself aggrieved, it suddenly turns 
upon its opponent, drops on its knees, and leaps forward with such astounding 
rapidity that the attack can hardly be avoided, even when the intended victim 
is aware of the animal’s intentions. 
The Nylghau is not of very great value either to individual hunters or for 
commercial purposes. The hide is employed in the manufacture of shields, 
but the flesh is coarse and without flavour. There are, however, exceptions 
to be found in the “hump” of the male, the tongue, and the marrow bones: 
which are thought to be rather delicate articles of diet. Its gait is rather 
clumsy, but very rapid, and generally consists of a peculiar long swinging 
canter, which is not easily overtaken. 
Jee ay 
ip 6 
