. The popular natural history . Zoology. «74 THE THE -(Connochetes Gnu.) most eccentric manner; then, springing suddenly into the air, they begin pawing and capering, and pursue each other in ci'rcles at their utmost speed budden y they all pull up together to overhaul the intruder, when some of the bulls will often commence fighting m the most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every shock; then, quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, whirl their tails with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain, enveloped in a cloud of ; On account of thes
. The popular natural history . Zoology. «74 THE THE -(Connochetes Gnu.) most eccentric manner; then, springing suddenly into the air, they begin pawing and capering, and pursue each other in ci'rcles at their utmost speed budden y they all pull up together to overhaul the intruder, when some of the bulls will often commence fighting m the most violent manner, dropping on their knees at every shock; then, quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, whirl their tails with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain, enveloped in a cloud of ; On account of these extraordinary ma- noeuvres, the Gnoo is called Wildebeest by the Dutch settlers. The Gnoos in the Zoological Gardens may often be seen at their gambols. The colour of the ordinary Gnoo {Connochetes Gnu) is brownish black, sometimes with a blue-grey wash. The mane is black, with the ex- ception of the lower part, which is often greyish-white, as is the lower part of the tail. The nose is covered with a tuft of reversed hair, and there is a mane upon the chest. The Gnoo is about three feet nine inches high at the shoulders, and measures about six feet six inches from the nose to the root of the tail. By far the most striking and imposing of all South African Antelopes, the Koodoo, now claims our attention. This truly magnificent creature is about four feet in height at the shoulder, and its body is rather heavily made, so that it is really a large animal. The curiously twisted horns are nearly three feet in length, and are furnished with a strong ridge or keel, which extends throughout their entire length. It is not so swift or enduring as many Antelopes, and can be run down without difficulty, provided that the hunter be mounted on a good horse, and the ground be tolerably fair and open. Its leaping powers are very great, for erne of these animals has been known to leap to a height of nearly ten feet without the advantage of a run. The flesh of the Koodoo is remarkably good,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
