XXIX 
ANIMALS OF THE BACK BLOCKS 
289 
grounds, whereas really he is somewhat of a skulker. 
His favourite habitat is formed by the rocky and 
densely-wooded slopes of hills, and water is a very 
secondary consideration with him. He also penetrates 
a considerable way into dense forest and through 
thickets where at first sight one would never have 
imagined that the old bulls could have forced their 
horns. However, throwing his head back so that the 
sharp nose is pointed forward and upward and his horns 
lie flat against his flanks, he forces his way through a 
regular jungle, like a gigantic snow-plough. Kudu 
certainly exist in the following places—round Marsabit, 
the hills on the south shores of Rudolf, and plentifully 
in the northern Game Reserve, in the southern Game 
Reserve, in the wooded hills beyond the southern Guaso 
Nyero to the German border, and in the Baringo 
district. Also, I am credibly informed, on the hills 
round Meru, on the Mumoni hills and bush land 
adjoining, behind the Voi Hills, to the south-west of 
the railway line at Kenani, in the thick bush between 
Mazeras and the Shimba hills. Anything over 47 
inches is a fair head, and over 54 inches would be 
good. 
The Sable Antelope is rare and extremely local. He 
exists in British East Africa only in the Shimba hills 
and in the land running from there to the coast. It 
is doubtful if the species numbers 200 in all. Fortu¬ 
nately, the country is in their favour, or they would 
have been exterminated long ere the present day. 
Horns run small, by far the finest pair obtained 
measuring just over 41 inches, were shot by Capt. J. 
Murray, late A.D.C. to the Governor. Their further 
protection might at an early date be reconsidered, as 
they are by nature plain dwellers, and consequently 
