270 
UNGULATES. 
descending from a dark stripe on the back. The degree of distinctness of these 
stripes varies greatly in different individuals; and frequently in this variety there 
is a white stripe across the nose, while there is always a dark patch on the inner 
side of the knee. Mr. Crawshay states that in Nyasaland, among a single troop, 
individuals may be seen varying from a light tawny yellow to a slaty blue in very 
old age, while in some the stripes are clearly defined, in others faintly, and in 
others again they are not distinguishable at all. An average-sized bull eland shot 
by Mr. Selous stood 5 feet 9 inches at the withers, but some specimens are doubt¬ 
less taller. Mr. Drummond states that the average weight varies from 800 to 
1100 lbs., but that in old bulls it may reach 1400 or even 1500 lbs. The average 
length of the horns may be set down at 25 inches for bulls and 26 inches for cows; 
but Mr. Selous has recorded a length of 30 inches in the former and 34 inches in 
the latter. I 11 old bulls the horns may be worn down to less than a foot in 
length. 
Distribution. 
Habits. 
The eland was formerly distributed over all Southern and 
Eastern Africa, but has now disappeared from the Cape Colony, 
Natal, the Orange Free State, Griqualand West, and the Transvaal. A few years 
ago these antelopes were, however, abundant in the districts between the Chobi 
and Zambesi Rivers, as well as in the country to the north of the latter; while 
they are still plentiful in parts of Nyasaland, and are not uncommon in the 
Kilima-Njaro district. Their complete extirpation is, however, probably merely a 
matter of time; the animal being slaughtered 011 account of its hide. 
Eland are found both in the desert-country, and in wooded 
districts, both hilly and flat. In Nyasaland Mr. Crawshay says 
that their favourite haunts are undulating, well-timbered country, where the 
grass is not too long, and where there are intervening open plains; as a rule, they 
visit the plains at night or in the early mornings to drink, and then wander back 
long distances to the forest, where they spend the hot hours of the day. In the 
great Kalahari Desert, where they are still common, Mr. Selous states, however, 
that eland go a long period without drinking any water, except that which they 
may obtain by eating water-melons and other plants. Eland are generally found 
in large herds, numbering from fifty to upwards of a hundred head, but solitary 
bulls or small parties of bulls are not unfrequently observed. 
Elands are generally accompanied by “ rhinoceros birds,” which, in addition 
to their natural timidity, make them difficult to approach on foot. Consequently 
they are generally hunted on horseback. The bulls, when fat, can be easily ridden 
down by a good horse; but the cows have greater speed and staying power. 
When pursued, eland frequently leap high in the air. The calves are born in July 
and August; and it appears that the females do not breed oftener than once in 
every two years, so that the rate of increase is slow. When they have their calves 
with them, the cows will attack and impale dogs on their horns; but at other 
seasons both sexes are quite harmless. Mr. Selous states that the flesh of the 
eland has been very generally over-estimated; and during the dry season, when 
these animals often subsist entirely upon leaves, it is quite uneatable. In captivity 
the eland breeds freely; and it was at one time considered that it might be 
profitably acclimatised in England. 
