The book of antelopes, vol. 3 (of 4)Sclater, Philip Lutley
Science
The book of antelopes, vol. 3 (of 4)
Sclater, Philip Lutley
Antelopes
In these days, however, as we are informed by Messrs. Nicolls and
Eglington, it is only on rare occasions that the Pallah is met with
in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and its present distribution is
described by them as follows:--“A few herds still linger in the
Transvaal along the Crocodile River. Almost exterminated in the regions
through which the north-west tributaries of that river flow, it is only
when the Zambesi is reached that the Palla is again to be frequently
met with in any number. On the Chobe River it is still fairly common,
being unknown on the Botletle, but it is only after passing the shores
of Lake ’Ngami, and reaching the densely wooded banks of the Tonke,
that the species again makes its appearance in a westerly direction. In
those parts of Mashonaland and Matabeleland where it is not subject to
continual persecution it is still fairly numerous. The Palla is highly
gregarious, and frequents the thick, forest-clad banks of rivers, from
which it never strays, except after periods of heavy rains, and then
only when the pans and vleys (which are always dry during the greater
portion of the year) are for a time filled with water. In remote parts,
not very much frequented by man, the herds often exceed a hundred in
number. Where not continually disturbed, this Antelope, so elegant and
graceful of motion, is not by any means shy when approached, generally
running but a short distance, and then standing and looking back again,
a habit which easily permits of its being stalked.”
In the Transvaal, Mr. Barber kindly informs us, the Pallah was
plentiful in the Waterburg and Lydenburg districts up to 1880. Now,
however, it has been driven away many miles east, into the valleys that
intersect the Lebombo range.
On the north-west of the Cape Colony the Pallah, as we shall see
presently, is represented by a nearly allied, though probably distinct,
form. But on the eastern side of Africa the Pallah has a wide range,
and extends north certainly into British East Africa, and probably
still farther into Kordofan. We will endeavour to trace its range
throughout this wide area.
Mr. Selous found the Pallah on the tributaries of the Limpopo, and
thence northwards on the banks of every river and stream which he has
explored in Matabeleland and Mashonaland. The Impalas of the Limpopo he
considers to be larger than those of the Chobe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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