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common on two small coral islands that guard the entrances to the harbour 
of Zanzibar (which is situated on the land or western side of the island 
of that name) about 1866, when I first took up residence there. I never 
knew of it having been seen anywhere else, not even on the main island of 
Zanzibar. I have heard it said, however, on reliable authority that it has been 
met with on the continent; this, however, I cannot confirm from personal 
experience. To me, therefore, the little Antelope is known only on these 
two small islands that I have indicated. Both of them are made of coral-rock 
raised about 15 feet above sea-level. They are much eroded on the exposed 
sea face and on the surface, where the sharp angles of rock make progress 
most difficult and even dangerous. There is no fresh water on these islands, 
unless it be the little that gathers in the pot-holes, but these are generally 
deep with sharp edges, and out of reach of the Nesotragus, which for many 
months cannot get fresh water other than rain or dew on the leaves. 
‘These islands are covered with dense bush and tangled creepers, and the 
Ipomea pescapre and Canavalia bean form a green mat down to the water- 
edge. Elsewhere all is evergreen bush and trees; the only grass there has a 
wiry texture, and is never eaten. The Nesotragus, like so many other 
Antelopes, lives on leaves and twigs of trees and scrub, and this is probably 
why it is so difficult to keep in captivity. I made many attempts to rear 
young ones and send them to the Zoological Gardens, but failed. Only once 
was I able to keep one alive for any time by gradually accustoming it to eat 
native millet or sorghum. 
“When first I went to Zanzibar there was no cultivation on either of 
these islands, but in time Bawe, the larger of the two, was planted with 
cocoanuts where there was sand. Two thirds of the island, however, were 
nothing but bare coral-rock, covered with tangled jungle, and useless for 
any purpose, and there the Antelope held its own, or rather just managed 
to resist extermination. 
“On the other island, which was only used as a burial-place for Europeans, 
the Antelope was much more numerous. This island was nearly all bare 
rock, cut up with pot-holes, and covered with tangled vegetation ; only at one 
point was there sand, and this was the spot converted into a cemetery. 
“As Europeans began to arrive in Zanzibar it became a favourite after- 
noon’s amusement to go to this island to shoot pigeons ; and then the Antelopes 
got reduced in numbers, and became very rare. 
