■ — — J. 
166 antilopid^. Mammalia. ANxiLopiD.t;. 
unusual noise, the Kokoon is wont to appear much 
more grim and ferocious than it actually proves ; not 
unfrequently approaching with an air of defiance, as if 
resolved to do battle with the hunter, but decamping 
upon the very first exhibition of hostility on his part. 
On being pursued, the herd bring their aquiline noses 
low between their laiees, and flourishing their stream- 
ing black tails, tear away in long regular files at a 
furious gallop ; wheeling curiously about at the distance 
of two or three hundred yards, advancing boldly towards 
the danger, tossing their shaggy heads in a threatening 
manner, presently making a sudden stop, presenting 
an impenetrable front of horns, and staring wildly at 
the object of their mistrust. The slightest demonstra- 
tion, however, is sufficient to put the whole squadron to 
flight, when they make a somewhat shorter excursion, 
again wheel in a circle, show a more menacing and 
imposing front than before, and most probably take up 
their position within sure rifle range. When engaged 
in grazing, they have an extremely dull and clumsy 
appearance, and at a little distance might often be 
mistaken for wild buffaloes ; but their usual manner is 
sportive, at one moment standing to gaze at nothing, 
and at the next scampering over the plain without any 
apparent object in view, making various grotesque 
curves and plunges, with their preposterous honassus- 
looking heads laid between the fore-legs.” The flesh 
of the Kokoon resembles that of beef, and is much 
sought after by the natives. The hide is dressed with 
the mane and beard attached, and when carefully pre- 
pared is converted into useful and ornamental cloaks, 
shawls, and tippets. 
THE NYL-GHAU (Portax Plate 20, fig. 67— 
is a native of India. It is as large as a stag, the sum- 
mit of the shoulders standing more than four feet from 
the ground. The fur exhibits a tawny, ferruginous 
colour generally, being in the male of a uniform bluish- 
grey at the uj)per parts. The head is furnished rvith a 
pair of short horns, about seven inches in length, which 
are slightly recurved forwards ; they do not exist in the 
female. The muzzle is remarkably attenuated ; the 
ears are rounded, and the lachrymal smuses rather 
large. The neck is broad and compressed laterally; 
and at the under part, near the middle line, it is fur- 
nished with a conspicuous tuft of hair. Immediately 
above this heard-like development there is a whitish 
spot; two similar patches being also seen on either 
cheek, below and in front of the eye. Besides these, 
the pasterns are marked with white spots forming more 
or less distinct bands round the ankle-joints. The 
mane is pretty strongly developed, especially over the 
region of tlie shoulders, where it forms a thickish tuft. 
The tail is long and bushy at the tip. According to 
Mr. Ogilby, the Nyl-ghau dwells principally in dense 
forests, “ whence it occasionally makes excursions very 
early in the morning, or during the night, to feed upon 
the corn-fields of the natives which happen to be situ- 
ated in the vicinity of the jungle. It is a vicious animal, 
of very uncertain temper, and as it is both powerful and 
resolute, and frequently turns upon its pursuers, it is 
seldom made an object of chase, except by the native 
princes, who employ elephants for this purpose, or 
inclose the game in nets.” It is likewise added, that 
“ even in confinement, and when domesticated from 
birth, the violent and changeable temper of the Nyl 
ghau cannot he trusted. Previous to making an attack, 
it drops upon the fore-knees, advancing in this position 
till within a proper distance; then darting suddenly 
forwards with the velocity of an arrow, and with a force 
which no ordinary animal can withstand.” The female 
commonly produces two young at a birth, her period 
of gestation extending over a period of eight months. 
THE BOSCH-BOC ( Tragelaplius sylvatica) is an irdra- 
hitant of Cape Colony and Caffraria, dwelling more 
particularly in forests near the sea-coast. The body 
of a full-grown male stands two feet eight inches high 
at the shoulder, and measures rather more than five 
feet in length. The fur exliibits a bright-chestnut 
colour generally, being darker superiorly, hut marked 
along the spine by a narrow white streak ; white spots 
also exist on the cheek, as well as on the flanks and fet- 
locks. The forehead has a deep sienna-hrown colour, 
and the neck is enchcled by a collar-like hand of a still 
darker hue. The horns are about a foot long, thick 
below, and gradually attenuated towards the rather 
blunt extremities ; their position is erect, and they are 
marked by spirally directed ridges in front and behind, 
which disappear after traversing the first two-thirds of 
their length. Tire ears are large and rounded, the 
limbs stoutish, the tail of moderate extent, and the 
muzzle naked. There are no lachrymary openings. 
The females are hornless, and furnished %vith four 
mammae. Respecting the habits of the Bosch-hoc, Mr. 
Ogilby states that it never quits its forest haunts except 
during bright moonlight nights, “ when it comes out to 
graze on the border of the forest, or to make incursions 
into the neighbouring gardens and corn-fields. Its 
voice resembles the barking of a dog, and its deceitful 
tone sometimes leads the benighted traveller into the 
most remote and lonely depths of the forest, in the vain 
search after some human habitation, which he is all 
the time leaving behind him. It is a slow runner, and 
easily caught when surprised ; hut it keeps close to the 
woods, through which it penetrates with great ease, 
running with the horns couched backwards along the 
sides of the neck to prevent them from impeding its 
course by striking against the branches, and having the 
neck ami throat frequently denuded by rubbing against 
the underwood, as it forces its passage through the 
thick covers.” The Bosch-bocs are monogamous, 
or solitary, the male and female being usually found 
together, or accompanied only by one or two offspring. 
THE KOODOO {Strepsiceros Kudu) is also an inha- 
bitant ot the wilds of Caffraria and Southern Africa, 
generally frequenting also the borders of streams, and 
not refusing to take to the water when occasion may 
require. It is a very large and attractive species, 
measuring upwards of nine feet in extreme length, and 
standing more than five feet high at the shoulders. 
The horns are massive and beautifully curved into two 
wide-spreading spiral circles ; they are upwards of three 
feet in length, of a brown colour, having their tips 
directed outwards and upwards. The muzzle is broad, 
tlie ears large and pointed at the ends, the forehead 
black, the shoulders much elevated, and there are no 
suborbital sinuses. The fur has a buff-grey colour 
