126 
by Sir John Kirk, as will be seen by Mr. Smit’s figure of this specimen 
(Plate XC. fig. 1), they are plainly visible. This specimen stands about 
32 inches at the withers, and its horns surpass 14 inches in length, so there 
is no doubt as to its maturity. On the whole, the most reasonable course to 
pursue seems to be, at least for the present, to refer all the specimens met 
with in Eastern Africa, from the Limpopo to the Shebeyli, to one species. 
We will now say a few words as to what the principal writers who have 
met with this Bushbuck in the more northern portion of its range have 
recorded of its habits and distribution. Mr. Crawshay, one of our best 
authorities on the Antelopes of Nyasaland, tells us that it is the commonest 
Fig. 100. 
Skull and horns of Cumming’s Bushbuck. 
(Brit. Mus.) 
of all the Antelopes of that country. From the great variety that exists in 
the colour and markings of the Nyasan Bushbucks, Mr. Crawshay thought at 
first there must be more than one species; but after carefully examining a 
great many of both sexes, young and old, he came to the conclusion that 
there is only one, of the various stages of which he gives minute descriptions. 
Sir Harry Johnston, in his ‘British Central Africa,’ gives us an excellent 
figure of the male Bushbuck, which he says is extremely common throughout 
the Protectorate. He describes its flesh as without exception the most 
delicious eating of any mammal in the world, “ surpassing in tenderness and 
flavour that of the best Welsh mutton, or of any kind of venison.” 
