38 



GREAT GAME ANIMALS. 



Somaliland, where they are known by the name of Dibatag. In 

 running, the head and neck are thrown backwards, while the tail 

 is turned forwards over the back. 



The Gerenuk. The East African Gerenuk, or Waller's Gazelle, 

 Genus Lithocranius walleri (1 125, figs. 20-22), differs from 

 LithocranillS. ordinary Gazelles not only by its exceedingly elon- 

 [Case 54.] gated neck and limbs, but likewise by the peculiar hooked form of 

 the very massive horns of the bucks, the dense structure and straight 

 profile of the skull, and the extreme slenderness of the lower jaw. 

 In Somaliland Gerenuk are found in small family-parties, and feed 

 more by browsing on the branches and leaves of trees and shrubs 

 than by grazing. Frequently they raise themselves by standing 

 on their hind-legs with the fore-feet resting against the trunk of 

 the tree on which they are feeding. Their usual pace is an 

 awkward trot, not unlike that of a Camel ; and they seldom break 

 into a gallop. 



The Beira Antelope. The Beira, Dorcatragus megalatis (1126), of 



GenilS Somaliland and the adjacent districts, is quite 



DorcatragUS. a small Antelope, which presents many points 

 [Case 54.] of resemblance to the Dik-diks and their allies, although 

 structurally it appears to be more nearly related to the Gazelles. 



The Blackbuck. As now restricted, the genus Antilope includes 

 Genus only the Blackbuck, or Indian Antelope, Antilope 

 Antilope. cervicapra (1145), a species characterised by the 

 [Case 56.] beautiful spiral twist of the horns of the bucks, and the dark 

 colour of the hair of the upper-parts in adult members of the same 

 sex. The glands below the eyes are very largely developed ; and 

 there are tufts of hair on the knees, and lateral hoofs to the feet. 

 Blackbuck are found on the open plains of India, from the foot of 

 the Himalaya nearly to Cape Comorin ; they frequent both grassy 

 districts and corn-lands. Although the usual number in a herd 

 varies from ten to thirty, or fifty — among which there often will be 

 only a single fully adult sable buck — in some cases the assemblage 

 may include hundreds, or even thousands of individuals. These 

 Antelopes possess great speed, and when running frequently 

 progress by a series of long leaps. In many districts they will 

 allow carts, or even men, to approach very close. 



