250 



The Living Animals of the World 



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MALE SPRINGBUCK, 



Once the most nuuieiuus bpeciea in South Afriai, where it is still not uncomninn. Its migrations, 



of tliQ sights of the veldt. 



[Otpe TvKii. 



' treks," at certain seasons \Tere one 



males and females are liorned. With the single exception of the Beatiux Oryx, which 

 inhabits Arabia, all these antelopes are denizens of Africa. One species of the group, the 

 EniEiiUCK, which appears to have been entirely confined to the mountainous districts of the 

 Cape Peninsula, became extinct during the first decade of tlie last century. Little is knowir 

 as to the life history of tliis animal, but it was undoubtedly nearly allied to the larger and 

 more handsomely marked Roan Antelope. This latter animal once had a more extensive 

 range than any other antelope, as it was found in almost every part of Africa south of 

 the Sahara, with the exception of the Congo forest region. It has now been exterminated 

 in tlie more southerly portions of the country, but from the Liuipoi)o to the Upper Nile, 

 and thence to the Niger, it is still to be found wherever the surroundings are suitable to its 

 re(|uirements. 



A large bull roan antelope will stand 4 feet 9 inches at the withers. The general colour 

 of the body differs in individuals, even in the same district, varying from a very light shade 

 of brown to dark grey or red-roan. The front and sides of the face are jet-black in the adult 

 male, and dark reddish brown in the female, with two long wliite tufts of hair under the 

 eyes. The muzzle and extremity of the lower jaw are white. The hair on the under side of 

 the neck is long and coarse, and a stiff mane about 3 inches in length runs from behind 

 the ears to the withers. The ears are very long, and in the females and young males 

 tufted. The horns are curved backwards, and in the male are very stout and strong, attaining 



