262 



The Living Animals of the World 



to ten individuals ; hut towards tlie end of the dry season they collect into large herds, 

 and at such times I have often seen from fifty to over two liundred of these animals in 

 one troop. 



In my experience elands live for two-thirds of the year in forest or liush-covered country, 

 or amongst rugged hills; and in such localities they are difficult to overtake on horseback; 

 but in the middle of tlie dry season, <as soon as tliey smell tlie smoke of the grass fires lighted 

 by tlie nati\'es on the open plateaux, they leave their retreats, and, collecting in herds, wander 

 out on to the treeless plains in searcli of yoiuig grass. They tlien fall an easy prey to a 

 mounted hunter, especially tlie heavy old liuUs, which can be run to a standstill witli ease by 

 a \'ery moderate horse. 



The flesli of the (dand is excellent wlien the aninral is in good condition, as at such a 

 time these animals become verv fat, especially the old bulls, wdiose hearts become encased in 

 a mass of fat wdiicli will often weigh 20 lbs. It is a mistake, however, to think that 

 eland-meat is always good; fjr towards the end of the dry season, when there is little grass 

 to be got, they feed extensively on the leaves of certain liushes, and their meat at such times 

 becomes very poor and tasteless. 



Besides the common eland of Soutliern, Central, and Eastern Africa, another distinct 

 species is met with in Senegal and the Gambia Colony. This is the Dekbian Eland, about 

 wdiich animal our knowledge is still very slight, as I believe that it has never yet been shot 

 nor its haliits studied by a Eun.)[iean traveller, A good many skulls and horns and a few skins 

 have lieen olitained from nati\'es, from which it ajipears that in general colour this species is 

 of a ricli reddish-fawn colour, becoming nearly white below, the middle of the belly being 

 black. The neck is covered witli long hair of a dark brown or l)]ack colour, blacker towards 

 the shoulder than in front. \ broad Ijlack strijie extends all down the centre of the back 

 from the neck to tlie root of the tail, and there are large black patches on the backs and 



inner sides of the 

 fore legs abo\e the 

 knees. On each 

 side of the body 

 a n d h a u n c h e s 

 tliere are thirteen 

 or lourteen narrow 

 wliite stripes. The 

 horns are larger 

 and more massive 

 and divergent than 

 in the comnron 

 eland, 



Tlie Derbian 

 eland is said to be 

 a forest - loving 

 animal, never of its 

 iiwn accord coming 

 out into the plains. 

 It lives in small 

 herds, is very shy 

 and not at all 

 abundant, and 

 brow'ses on the 

 leaves and young- 

 shoots of various 

 trees and bushes. 



■phrjUDij W. P. 11 



[_licgent's PuH-. 



llULIj lil^.VNO, 



Tlie llesh of the elaml is of bcttoi' llavoiu- tbaii that uf most utl.oi- hiiga g.mie. It shcltoieil iu winter, the 



■species will thrive in Enyiisb park-f. 



