| OCR Text |
Show 300 CAPT. H. G. C SWAYNE ON T H E [May 3, 1. Field-Notes on the Antelopes of Northern Somaliland. By H. G. C. SWAYNE, Capt. R.E., C.M.Z.S.1 [Eeceived April 5, 1892.] 1. THE ORYX (Oryx beisa). Baet (pronounced Beyt). The Oryx inhabits open stony ground, or barren hills, or open grass plains. It is very widely distributed over the Somali Country and not at all uncommon, and it m ay be found in all kinds of country except in the thick jungles with aloe undergrowth so much liked by the Lesser Kudu, and in the cedar forests on the higher ranges. The Oryx feeds chiefly on grass, and is often found very far from water. It has keen sight, and protects itself more by this than by its sense of hearing or smell. Oryx are found in herds of moderate size, chiefly composed of cows. The herds number from half a dozen to thirty or forty. The only Antelopes which go in very large herds in Northern Somaliland are the Hartebeeste and Scemmerring's Gazelle. Numbers of bull Oryxes are found scattered singly all about the country, and possibly these make up in number for the preponderance of cows in the herds. Single Oryxes are almost always bulls. Often two or three cows with growing calves will be found together, making up a small herd of half a dozen. It is nearly impossible to distinguish which are the bulls in a herd, and they are so few in proportion to the cows that it is best not to fire at a herd at all. The bull is slightly higher in the withers than the cow, and the horns, though an inch or two shorter in the bull, are more massive, especially about the burr at the base, and they are more symmetrical. The cowrs' horns are often bent or of unequal length. . The Oryx is often revengeful when wounded and brought to bay. Twice I have 3een a wounded Oryx make a determined charge into a mob of Somalis armed with spears. The Midgans, who are the outcast race, and are armed with bows and poisoned arrows, hunt the Oryx with packs of savage yellow pariah dogs; the thick skin round the withers of a bull Oryx is made by them into a white " gashan " or shield 18 inches in diameter. The hunting as carried out by the Midgans in the Bulhar Plain is as follows:-Three or four Midgans with about fifteen dogs go out just before dawn, and walk along silently through the scattered thorn- 1 [Capt. Swayne has now kindly sent m e the promised field-notes on the Antelopes of Somaliland of which I have lately given an account to the Society, mainly based upon his valuable specimens (see P. Z. S. 1892, pp. 98, 117). The first set of all the specimens sent to m e by Capt. Swayne has been presented in his name to the British Museum, and the duplicates to the U.S. National Museum at Washington. I have added, at Captain Swayne's request, the scientific uames and some references to these Notes.-P. L. S.j |
