The book of antelopes, vol. 2 (of 4)Sclater, Philip Lutley
Science
The book of antelopes, vol. 2 (of 4)
Sclater, Philip Lutley
Antelopes
Dr. Günther adds that the horns of _C. bohor_ are much stronger
and larger than in _Cervicapra fulvorufula_; their basal portion
is somewhat flattened from the front backwards, but similarly
corrugated; they diverge very slightly and have their points strongly
curved forwards. He also says that the skull of a female Antelope
brought home by Capt. Speke and given to the Museum in 1863 evidently
belongs to _C. bohor_[13]; it has the basal portion of the nasal
bones raised into a slight convexity, whilst this part is flat in the
male. A similar sexual difference exists in the skulls of _Cervicapra
arundinum_.
[Illustration: Fig. 39.
Skull of _Cervicapra bohor_.--_jl_, jugo-lacrymal suture;
_o_, lower edge of infra-orbital rim.
(P. Z. S. 1890, p. 605.)]
Assuming Dr. Günther’s view to be correct, and that the Reedbuck of
British East Africa is truly referable to _Cervicapra bohor_, we
will proceed to recount what has been said about it by the leading
authorities on the antelopes of this country. Mr. Hunter, from whom,
it will be recollected, Dr. Günther obtained the specimen upon which
he made his observations, tells us that the Reedbuck met with in the
district of Kilimanjaro is usually found in the early morning and
evening feeding near the edges of the reedy swamps, and when disturbed
immediately runs into the rushes. Mr. Hunter and his companions found
it very common in a large swamp near Mikundune, to the south-west of
the mountain. Mr. Jackson, who calls the same antelope the “Lesser
Reedbuck,” and gives its Swahili name as “Toi” or “Tohi,” tells us that
this species is very local in British East Africa, and, as a rule,
frequents only the vicinity of rivers and swamps that are never dry.
He found it on the shores of Lake Jipi, and on the river Ziwa, to the
east of Kilimanjaro, and in a few other places. He also saw on the
hills to the north-west of Machako’s several small herds of it, which
had evidently been driven up there by the grass-fires in the plains.
Mr. Jackson remarks that these Reedbucks give a shrill whistle when
disturbed, and are very shy and difficult to stalk, but that in long
grass they lie close and sometimes allow the sportsman to approach to
within twenty or thirty yards of them.
In the large series of mammals obtained by Dr. Abbott in the district
of Kilimanjaro, which has been described by Mr. True, there were two
young male specimens of a Reedbuck which were referred by Mr. True to
_C. arundinum_, but which belonged no doubt to the present species
(if distinct).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account