48 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



portions of Matabqleland it is also plentiful. In the Transvaal, 

 except in some of the Northern districts along the Crocodile River, 

 it is very scarce,, being extremely numerous, however, in the low 

 country about the Sabi and Busi Rivers. Although large herds of 

 Wildebeest may frequently be observed grazing together on the 

 same plain in close proximity, it is now unusual to find one exceeds 

 ing fifty in number. Occasionally an old bull will separate from the 

 remainder of the troop and adopt the companionship of some other 

 description of game, preferably Quaggas or the Ostrich, and with 

 which they appear to associate on terms of the greatest harmony. 

 In appearance this antelope is very strongly suggestive of the 

 American bison on a smaller scale, but their heavy, clumsy, and 

 ungainly appearance belie their capabilities for speed, as they will 

 run with considerable swiftness and great endurance indifferently 

 either up or down wind. When pursued they gallop in single file, 

 the cows in the van and the old bulls in the rear, performing the 

 most peculiar antics imaginable. Of a wandering and restless habit, 

 they do not frequent any particular spot for any lengthened period, 

 but are invariably on the move in their migration from one resort to 

 another. Like the majority of the other larger antelope of South 

 Africa, the Wildebeest is, at the present day, always hunted on 

 horseback, and the question of successful chase depends less on 

 stratagem than on the speed and stamina of the hunter's horse, and 

 his own accuracy of aim. They frequent open flats, but may often 

 be met with in thickly wooded country, never approaching water 

 except at night. The flesh is only suitable for biltong:^ and is very 

 coarse. 



The Black Wildebeest {Cannochoetes gnu). Fig. 25, Plate VII. 

 — (^Zwart Wildebeest of the Dutch.) 



[^Height of adult male about 3 feet 10 inches. General colow, deep 

 umber brown^ verging to black; neck thick and arched, surmounted by 

 upright mane of slate-coloured coarse hair; upper part of face, dewlap, 

 chest, and portion of belly covered with bushy, brownish black hair; 

 rump sloping and assinine ; eyes fierce; legs slender ; tail long and white. 

 Horns along curve, about 20 inches, branching downwards, slightly 

 outwards, turning abruptly upwards, forming a complete hook. 

 Females with horns, but more slender. Spoor ^Y^ inches, narrow.^ heart- 

 shaped.'^ 



