Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 6 (1902).djvu/431

Rh Buffalo, half Pony, as it were—often bear vestiges of their Hartebeest ancestry in the shape of more or less distinct annuliations on the horns near the base, and most distinct on the posterior aspect. In a pair I recently examined the cow had five distinct rings on each horn, and very similar markings were recognisable on the bull. One character of these animals appears to have been hitherto overlooked in descriptions of their external appearance—the mane hangs over to the right side of the neck, whereas in several other Antelopes, such as the Beisa (Oryx beisa), this appendage inclines to the left. Brindled Gnu are fond of rubbing themselves against posts, and also delight in rolling in any moisture that may be found in their paddock. They are extremely inquisitive, and will frequently come up to investigate an object with determined and not very friendly curiosity. If two are kept together they will fight in a more or less determined manner, dropping on their knees to crash their heavily armed heads together. Females with young are very alert and suspicious; one Gnu, which I had permission to photograph, becoming somewhat alarmed at my proceedings (though at a distance of fully one hundred yards), gave the alarm by a peculiar braying snort. Immediately on hearing this the calf got up, and stood staring hard in the direction of the supposed danger.

Bubalis buselaphus (Bubaline Hartebeest).—The Bubaline Hartebeest does well in captivity, and under suitable conditions will breed as readily as Eland or Burchell Zebra. In 1900 there was quite a large herd at the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, numbering eight individuals, of which at least three had been born in the menagerie. The young were fawn-coloured like the parents, and had small horns in the form of short backwardly directed divergent spikes. The colour of the Bubaline Hartebeest appears well adapted to protect it in its desert home. I found that the outlines of a menagerie specimen standing on a sanded floor and against the woodwork of its enclosure began to be indistinct at a distance of twenty-four yards.

Giraffa camelopardalis (Northern Giraffe).—The history of the Giraffes brought to London in 1836 is probably familiar to many; most readers of 'The Zoologist' will recollect that the four animals then imported became the founders of a long line