70 
through the body of an animal. Oryxes seem to be quite independent of water, and are 
often seen many miles from any place where it could be procured. They frequent the 
waterless, treeless plains, such as Toyo, Silo, &c., in herds sometimes of large size, and 
subsist upon the harsh dry grass common in such localities. The skin of a bull is very 
thick on the neck and withers, in some cases as much as three-quarters of an inch 
through. The natives select this part of the hide to make their shields, which are 
sufficiently tough to stop any spear or arrow. As the bulls are very pugnacious, no 
doubt their tough thick hides are a great protection against the lance-like horns, and 
save them from being run through this vital portion of the body.” 
Mr. Elliot’s expedition brought home twelve specimens of the Beisa of both 
sexes and of various ages from the Toyo Plain, Hullier, Bodeleh, the Silo 
Plain, the Haud, and the Ogaden Country. But he tells us that this fine 
animal is already practically extinct north of the Golis Range, and can only 
be found in any numbers in the southern portion of the Haud and in the 
country beyond. 
Fig. 94. 
SASS = 
WWQ WOR 
Wii 
Cond f 
OMY LPN) 
\ cs { M ih 
AWE We 
Mi ONS Yes: 
Hi —— Ce % 
DRE 
Y eepsa ses 
Female Beisa. 
(From the Garden Guide Z. 8. L., 1876.) 
Mr. J. Benett Stanford, F.Z.S., a well-known sportsman in Somaliland, tells 
us a curious story about this Antelope. On one occasion when shooting in 
that country he killed a female Beisa, and, leaving his men to skin her, went 
on in pursuit of other game. On his return to the camp, late in the after- 
noon, he found a young Beisa frolicking about, and was greeted by one of 
