268 
A COLONY IN THE MAKING 
CHAP. 
Consequently, nowadays huge bands of does are seen 
in company with a half-grown bull or two. It is 
possible that the number allowed to be shot on a 
licence might be reduced, and farmers who appreciate 
the presence of this very harmless antelope would be 
well advised to obtain their “ reims ” from old does in 
preference to bulls in the prime of life. Waterbuck 
meat is so exceptionally nasty that porters have been 
known to refrain from eating more than a certain 
amount, and actually not to finish the entire carcase, 
incredible as it may sound. A fair pair of Ellipsi- 
prymnus horns would be 25 inches, and 27 inches might 
be considered fine. In Defassa the similar measure¬ 
ments might be 27 inches and 29 inches. In Uganda, 
of course, specimens run very much bigger. Nearly 
all streams and lakes with wooded banks have water- 
buck within two miles. They used to be especially 
numerous and fine on the Uasin Guishu plateau, but 
the Dutch population have altered all that and have 
exterminated or driven across the Nzoia the great 
majority. 
The Wildebeeste or White-bearded Brindled Gnu has 
a useful hide and furnishes fairly savoury meat, the 
tongue and tail being the best portions. Now that the 
Loieta plains have become a portion of the Masai 
Reserve, comparatively few farmers are in direct contact 
with the animal. Such would be those who are resi¬ 
dent on or adjoin the Athi or Kapiti plains. There are, 
moreover, two domiciled or resident herds, one on Mr. 
McMillans farm and the other on that of Messrs. D. 
Seth Smith and M. Ridley. These two herds have 
remained on the same ground for many years though 
the old bulls are systematically and regularly shot. 
Their numbers are inclined to increase and they 
