Page:Records of Sport in Southern India.pdf/45

 The colour of the males (black buck) is a rich dark glossy brown (almost black in the old ones) above, the lower parts, abdomen, and inner parts of the legs, white-head, nape and back of the head a rufous yellow, nose and lips white and a large white ring round the eyes. The females are a pale yellowish fawn colour above, with a pale lateral streak from shoulders to haunch, and white beneath.

The height at the shoulder of the male is about thirtytwo inches; length about four feet, not including the tail which is about seven inches. The horns vary considerably, from twenty to twenty-seven inches. In some very rare instances females have been found with horns, but as a rule they are hornless.

The second species is the Ravine antelope, Indian gazelle, or Chikára (Gazella bennetti), frequenting, as its name implies, the ravines and rocky hills. It is a little larger than the Egyptian gazelle, of a light chestnut colour, with the chin neck and breast white, both male and female have horns; the latter very much smaller than the male and not ringed. I used to enjoy prowling after them at early dawn; the ground was stony and noisy in many places so that it was difficult to get near the wary little beauties without the most careful stalking. This antelope is said never to drink.

When I first commenced rifle shooting I was much too eager, and used to fire very long shots, often at from five to six hundred yards, and as might be expected, generally missed; and in consequence I had to stand a considerable amount of chaff. I remember one day, being out with two of my brother officers, I took a very long shot, far too long, at a black buck. I distinctly heard the flop of the ball