155 
district of Uganda along with Capt. R. H. Williams, in the early part of 1893, under 
the following circumstances :— 
«We were told by the natives that these Antelopes (called by them ‘ Chobé’ or ‘Njobé’) 
existed in great numbers on one of the small outlying islands which constitute the Sesse 
group in the Victoria Lake. Being anxious to prove the truth of this report, we 
embarked, and proceeded thither in canoes. The island in question, which is situated 
well out in the Lake at a distance of some 10 miles from the main island, was reached 
on the afternoon of the second day. The shores are low and rocky, and, with the exception 
of a small turf-covered portion at its southern extremity, it is entirely covered with dense, 
almost impenetrable bush, interspersed only by a number of fine trees, principally species 
of Ficus. In shape it is something like an irregular hour-glass, being possibly a third 
of a mile in length and a few hundred yards across its greatest width. A very short 
examination revealed the presence of the Antelopes, and finding it impossible to approach 
them by any ordinary methods of stalking, a drive was organized, with the aid of the 
canoemen, with most satisfactory results: the total bag amounted to 24 head, including 
some fine specimens both male and female. This afforded ample testimony to their 
extraordinary numbers, as, owing to the dense character of the bush, it was impossible 
to see more than a few yards in any direction, and many of them passed us unseen. The 
greater number were killed in the first drive, after which the majority took refuge in the 
Lake, which is said to be their habit when hard pressed, though Speke describes them as 
being fierce and aggressive under such circumstances. The specimens procured on this 
occasion have been identified as true Sitatungas, though it is impossible to imagine 
how they ever got on to the island, or came to frequent a locality which is so entirely at 
variance with their usual habits. 
“These Antelopes are said to have also existed formerly on a small neighbouring island, 
but to have been exterminated there by the Ba-Sesse canoemen.” 
During his recent travels in Uganda, Herr Oscar Neumann also obtained 
a series of skins of this Antelope, which, as already mentioned, he has most 
kindly lent to us for examination. We are sorry not to have received any 
exact particulars respecting the specimens, except that they were procured 
from the natives in the districts of Kavirondo, Usoga, and Uganda, on the 
shores of Lake Victoria. Herr Neumann has also sent us two pairs of horns 
of this species, which were obtained from the ‘“ Wakenji” in the swamps 
west of Mount Elgon. Along with these specimens we have received for 
comparison from the authorities of the Berlin Museum a flat skin obtained 
‘by Herr Stuhlmann near the slopes of Mt. Ruwenzori. 
The National Museum of this country is, we regret to say, very imperfectly 
furnished with specimens of the East-African form of the Sitatunga, containing 
only the original examples of Speke. It will be evident, therefore, that 
Herr Neumann’s kind assistance in this matter has been of considerable 
value to us. 
