The book of antelopes, vol. 2 (of 4)Sclater, Philip Lutley
Science
The book of antelopes, vol. 2 (of 4)
Sclater, Philip Lutley
Antelopes
Swayne’s Dik-dik is, perhaps, of somewhat doubtful position in the
genus. In colour it nearly resembles the larger Abyssinian species
_Madoqua saltiana_, but is at once distinguishable by its
smaller size. In stature it agrees more nearly with the next species,
Phillips’s Dik-dik, of which it may hereafter possibly be shown to be
a feebly coloured variety. Capt. Swayne, however, is very strongly of
opinion that, though found in the same localities, these two Antelopes
are, as is asserted by the natives, quite distinct.
The “_Sakára Guyu_,” as the Somalis call the present species, is
found, according to Capt. Swayne, in pairs in suitable localities all
over Northern Somaliland. It lives in broken ground, where there is
good cover of low mimosa-scrub, and is never seen in open grass plains,
but is specially partial to aloe undergrowth. The female exposes
herself most to view, and is consequently more often shot.
“They lie very close, and when disturbed they dart off at speed with
two or three sharp whistling alarm-notes uttered in quick succession.
This often gives the alarm to larger game.
“Three or four Sakáro may be seen together, seldom or never more.
“Young Sakáro are soon able to take care of themselves, and only when
very young can they be run down on foot by the Somalis, who often catch
them to eat. The Somalis, who are sensible in most ways, are peculiar
in that they do not eat birds, and know little about them, calling them
contemptuously ‘Shimbir,’ the Arabic for bird, but generally having
no names for the different kinds. They say birds are ‘Harain,’ or
forbidden food.
“I have seen probably eighty Sakáro in the course of a day. Their
habits are those of the hare, and they live in similar ground.
“They nibble the young shoots of the mimosa. They like to be near
water, and go to drink at midday and just after nightfall. They are
especially lively in the afternoon and evening.”
Besides Capt. Swayne’s skins there are specimens in the British Museum
obtained by Herr Menges at Gerbatir, in Northern Somaliland, which are
provisionally referred to this species, and also two examples presented
(in April 1894) by Dr. Donaldson Smith from Milmil in the interior of
that country.
We have received no further material towards elucidating this difficult
point since Thomas wrote his monograph of the genus, and must therefore
leave it for future workers to settle. In collecting skins and skulls,
sportsmen are particularly requested to mark very carefully on them
which skin belongs to each skull, as it is to the habitual neglect of
such labelling that the present impossibility of clearing the matter up
is mainly due.
_December, 1895._
[Illustration:
THE BOOK OF ANTELOPES, PL. XXXI.
_Smit del. & lith._ _Hanhart imp._
Fig. 1. Günther’s Dik-dik.
MADOQUA GUENTHERI.
Fig. 2. Phillips’ Dik-dik.
MADOQUA PHILLIPSI.
_Published by R. H. Porter._]
54. PHILLIPS’S DIK-DIK.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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