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Show 1894.] ANTELOPES OP THE PENGUE VALLEY. 131 1. OREAS CANNA. ("Eland" of the Dutch and English.) This Antelope, though far from plentiful, is to be met with occasionally in the more open country of the Pungue Valley. At this time of the year (August and September) I never saw more than a pair together, usually feeding upon young grass at a little distance from timber-belts and never far from water. The skins of the one or two that we shot were beautifully marked with white stripes, very clearly defined, running in a downward direction, aud with a dark stripe along the backbone. The animals were very fat and in spleudid coat aud condition, the largest standing 15 hands 2 inches. 2. COBUS ELLIPSIPRYMNUS. (" Waterbuck " of the English, " Kring-ghat " of the Dutch ; native name " Mpeeva.") This Antelope is by far the commonest species throughout the Pungue Valley, and is sometimes found in herds of quite 40 head, the cows as a rule far outnumbering the bulls ; they are generally discovered feeding upon the short grass of the dried vleys. They are stoutly built and heavy, but active, standing when full-grown about 12 hands. The largest pair of horns I procured measured 27^ inches along the curve, the average length of those of a full-grown bull being 26| inches. They are lyrate, broadly annu-lated to within a little of the points, but much more deeply at the base than higher up. The hair of the Waterbuck is coarse aud thicker round the neck than elsewhere, and this is especially noticeable in the cows, which are hornless. They vary much in colour, from a dark slate to a light brown, with a white ring round the rump, and in some cases, although not all, a white marking round the lower portion of the neck. Their spoor is noticeable for being very narrow and pointed. 3. CATOBLEPAS OORGON. (" Blue Wildebeest" of the English, " Blau Wildebeest" of the Dutch ; native name "Inkone-kone.") This Antelope is found in immense herds throughout the more open country bordering the upper reaches of the Pungue, Dinga-dingue, and Ulemna rivers. It is not at all uncommon to find them feediug in company with herds of Waterbuck and Zebra, and solitary specimens are frequently to be met with. When disturbed they evince great excitement and go through the most exaggerated antics, and, although usually shy and difficult of approach, are victims to their great curiosity, owing to which trait in their character they more than once fell to our rifles. Thev are of a bluish drab-colour, having brindled stripes down the forequarters, from which they are also known as the Brindled Gnu • their bushy tail, mane, and beard are of coarse black hair; they stand about 12 hands, both sexes carrying horns, the average spread of a bull's being about 26 inches. y |