46 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



about a dozen, but they may still often be met with in troops 

 exceeding a hundred. Next to the Tsessebe it is the fleetest and 

 most enduring of the larger antelopes of South Africa, and with its 

 long striding gallop is always able to keep its distance in front of the 

 best shooting horse in a tail-on chase. It is not, however, a very 

 difficult animal to shoot, as in making off it will invariably head dead 

 up against the wind, and thus give easy opportunities for cross- 

 cutting. Moreover, it is rather stupid, and a bullet fired so as to strike 

 the ground somewhere in advance of a retreating herd will either 

 turn them back in the direction of the shooter, or bring the lot to a 

 standstill, in which position they will often remain in amazement 

 until the pursuer gallops up close at hand. If the couple of old 

 males that generally head the herd can be shot or otherwise 

 separated from the main body, the remainder appear to become 

 utterly bewildered, and will start running in circles, instead of 

 making off in any particular direction. The Hartebeest is never 

 met with in very thick bush or hilly country, but frequents either 

 the bare open flats or plains sparsely covered with camel-thorn trees 

 (Acacia giyajfce)^ and where there are treeless glades to be met 

 with. It is capable of existing for lengthened periods without water, 

 but in a much lesser degree than the Giraffe, Eland, or Gemsbuck, 

 and may sometimes be seen, in the driest seasons, in the very heart 

 of the Kalahari devoid of permanent water. The females, when 

 heavy with young, drink regularly. It may be worth mentioning 

 that the brain cavity of this species is situated high up, almost be- 

 tween the base of the horns, and several instances could be cited 

 where these antelopes have been killed outright by the simple con- 

 cussion sustained through the bullets striking the horn. Standing 

 so much higher at the shoulder than at the rump, the general 

 appearance of this antelope is very ungainly. The flesh is fairly 

 good. 



The Lichtenstein Wzr\.e\ieQS\{Bubalis Uchtensteini). Fig. 14, 

 Plate IV. — {Konze of the Masieuvias ; Inkulanondo of the 

 Mashonas.) 



\_In size and shape resembling the foregoing, hut has several dis- 

 tinguishing marks. Colour much lighter, of a uniform saffron, with 

 a golden tinge throughout; patch on forehead and down centre of nose, 

 as also saddle patch extending from point of shoulder to root of tail, 



