Genus VI.MADOQUA.

Size small; nose elongated, proboscis-like; its tip nearly entirely hairy, except just on the lower part of the nasal septum; crown of head tufted; tail very short, almost rudimentary; accessory hoofs present, but quite minute.

Skull with the premaxillæ long and the nasals short, in correlation with the lengthening of the snout into a proboscis; anteorbital vacuities large; anteorbital fossæ large but shallow; last lower molar in some species without the posterior lobe which is present in all other ruminants.

Horns from half to three-quarters the length of the skull, straight or slightly sinuate, strongly ribbed basally.

Distribution.Extending diagonally across Africa from Abyssinia to Damaraland. No species found either in N.W., South, or S.E. Africa.

Of this genus we are prepared to recognize six species, which fall naturally into two groups—(A) those in which the proboscis is comparatively slightly, developed and the last lower molar is without a posterior lobe, and (B) those in which the proboscis is very long and the last lower molar, as in other Ruminants, has a third lobe. Within the groups the species differ comparatively little from each other, but may be distinguished without difficulty by the characters of size, colour, and form, used in the following synopsis:—

THE BOOK OF ANTELOPES, PL. XXX.Wolf del. Smit lith.Hanhart imp.Salt’s Dik-dik.MADOQUA SALTIANA.Published by R.H.Porter.

THE BOOK OF ANTELOPES, PL. XXX.

Wolf del. Smit lith.

Hanhart imp.

Salt’s Dik-dik.

MADOQUA SALTIANA.

Published by R.H.Porter.

“Madoqua,”Salt, Travels in Abyssinia, App. iv. p. xi.Cerophorus(Cervicapra)saltiana,Blainv.Bull. Soc. Philom. 1816, pp. 75 & 79;id.Oken’s Isis, 1819, p. 1096.Antilope saltiana,Desm.N. Dict. d’H. N. (2) ii. p. 192 (1816);Schinz, Cuv. Thierr. i. p. 395 (1821);Desmoul.Dict. Class, i. p. 446 (1822);Desm.Mamm. ii. p. 465 (1822);Goldf.Schr. Säug. v. p. 1244 (1824);Cretzschm.Atl. Rüpp. Reise, p. 55, pl. xxi. (♂ ♀, young) (1826);Less.Man. Mamm. p. 380 (1827);Licht.Darst.Säug.pl. xvi. (♂ ♀) (1828);Hempr. & Ehr.Symb. Phys. pl. vii. (1828);J. B. Fisch.Syn. Mamm. p. 470 (1829);Oken, Allg. Naturg. vii. p. 1361 (1838);Laurill.Dict. Univ. d’H. N. i. p. 622 (1839);Gerv.Dict. Sci. Nat. Suppl. i. p. 263 (1840);Schinz, Syn. Mamm. ii. p. 418 (1845);Huet, Bull. Soc. Acclim. 1887, p. 68.Antilope(Neotragus)saltiana,Less.Compl. Buff. x. p. 295 (1836);id.N. Tabl. R. A., Mamm. p. 178 (1842).Madoqua saltiana,Ogilb.P. Z. S. 1836, p. 137;Gray, List Mamm. B. M. p. 164 (1843);Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328.Neotragus saltianus,Jard.Nat. Libr., Mamm. iii. pt. 1, p. 229, pl. xxxiii. (1835);Gray, Ann. Mag. N. H. (1) xviii. p. 231 (1846);id.Cat. Ost. B. M. p. 56 (1847);id.Knowsl. Men. p. 8 (1850);id.P. Z. S. 1850, p. 120;id.Ann. & Mag. N. H. (2) viii. p. 138 (1851);id.Cat. Ung. B. M. p. 76 (1852);Gerr.Cat. Bones Mamm. B. M. p. 236 (1862);Blanf.Zool. Abyss, p. 268 (1870);Flow. & Gars.Cat. Coll. Surg. ii. p. 268 (1884);Giglioli, Ann. Mus. Genov. (2) vi. p. 19 (1888) (Assab);Flow. & Lyd.Mamm. p. 238 (1891);Lyd.Horns and Hoofs, p. 214 (1893).Calotragus saltianus,Temm.Esq. Zool. Guin. p. 192 (1853).Cephalophus(Ourebia)saltiana,Gerv.H. N. Mamm. ii. p. 209 (1855).Antilope(Neotragus)madoka,H. Sm.Griff. An. K. iv. p. 271, v. p. 350 (1827);A. Sm.S. Afr. Quart. J. ii. p. 218 (1834);Less.Compl. Buff. x. p. 295 (1836).Antilope madoqua,Waterh.Cat. Maram. Mus. Z. S. (2) p. 40 (1838).Antilope hemprichiana,Ehr.in Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. text to pl. vii. (1833);Oken, Allg. Naturg. vii. p. 1362 (1838);Wagn.Schr. Säug. Suppl. iv. p. 455 (1844), v. p. 415 (1855);Gieb.Säug. p. 319 (1854).Neotragus hemprichianus,Sund.Pecora, K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1844, p. 191 (1846);id.Hornschuch’s Transl., Arch. Skand. Beitr. ii. p. 143; Reprint, p. 67 (1848);Heugl.Ant. u. Büff. N.O.-Afr. (N. Act. Leop. xxx. pt. 2) p. 9 (1863);Fitz.SB. Ak. Wien, lix. pt. 1, p. 168 (1869);Heugl.Reise N.O.-Afr. ii. p. 107 (1877).Antilope hemprichii,Rüpp.N. Wirb. Abyss., Mamm. p. 25 (1835).Tragelaphus hemprichii,Rüpp.Verz. Senck. Mus. p. 37 (1842).Madoqua hemprichii,Ogilb.P. Z. S. 1836, p. 137.Neotragus hemprichii,Brehm, Thierl. iii. p. 255 (1880).

“Madoqua,”Salt, Travels in Abyssinia, App. iv. p. xi.

Cerophorus(Cervicapra)saltiana,Blainv.Bull. Soc. Philom. 1816, pp. 75 & 79;id.Oken’s Isis, 1819, p. 1096.

Antilope saltiana,Desm.N. Dict. d’H. N. (2) ii. p. 192 (1816);Schinz, Cuv. Thierr. i. p. 395 (1821);Desmoul.Dict. Class, i. p. 446 (1822);Desm.Mamm. ii. p. 465 (1822);Goldf.Schr. Säug. v. p. 1244 (1824);Cretzschm.Atl. Rüpp. Reise, p. 55, pl. xxi. (♂ ♀, young) (1826);Less.Man. Mamm. p. 380 (1827);Licht.Darst.Säug.pl. xvi. (♂ ♀) (1828);Hempr. & Ehr.Symb. Phys. pl. vii. (1828);J. B. Fisch.Syn. Mamm. p. 470 (1829);Oken, Allg. Naturg. vii. p. 1361 (1838);Laurill.Dict. Univ. d’H. N. i. p. 622 (1839);Gerv.Dict. Sci. Nat. Suppl. i. p. 263 (1840);Schinz, Syn. Mamm. ii. p. 418 (1845);Huet, Bull. Soc. Acclim. 1887, p. 68.

Antilope(Neotragus)saltiana,Less.Compl. Buff. x. p. 295 (1836);id.N. Tabl. R. A., Mamm. p. 178 (1842).

Madoqua saltiana,Ogilb.P. Z. S. 1836, p. 137;Gray, List Mamm. B. M. p. 164 (1843);Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328.

Neotragus saltianus,Jard.Nat. Libr., Mamm. iii. pt. 1, p. 229, pl. xxxiii. (1835);Gray, Ann. Mag. N. H. (1) xviii. p. 231 (1846);id.Cat. Ost. B. M. p. 56 (1847);id.Knowsl. Men. p. 8 (1850);id.P. Z. S. 1850, p. 120;id.Ann. & Mag. N. H. (2) viii. p. 138 (1851);id.Cat. Ung. B. M. p. 76 (1852);Gerr.Cat. Bones Mamm. B. M. p. 236 (1862);Blanf.Zool. Abyss, p. 268 (1870);Flow. & Gars.Cat. Coll. Surg. ii. p. 268 (1884);Giglioli, Ann. Mus. Genov. (2) vi. p. 19 (1888) (Assab);Flow. & Lyd.Mamm. p. 238 (1891);Lyd.Horns and Hoofs, p. 214 (1893).

Calotragus saltianus,Temm.Esq. Zool. Guin. p. 192 (1853).

Cephalophus(Ourebia)saltiana,Gerv.H. N. Mamm. ii. p. 209 (1855).

Antilope(Neotragus)madoka,H. Sm.Griff. An. K. iv. p. 271, v. p. 350 (1827);A. Sm.S. Afr. Quart. J. ii. p. 218 (1834);Less.Compl. Buff. x. p. 295 (1836).

Antilope madoqua,Waterh.Cat. Maram. Mus. Z. S. (2) p. 40 (1838).

Antilope hemprichiana,Ehr.in Hempr. & Ehr. Symb. Phys. text to pl. vii. (1833);Oken, Allg. Naturg. vii. p. 1362 (1838);Wagn.Schr. Säug. Suppl. iv. p. 455 (1844), v. p. 415 (1855);Gieb.Säug. p. 319 (1854).

Neotragus hemprichianus,Sund.Pecora, K. Vet.-Ak. Handl. 1844, p. 191 (1846);id.Hornschuch’s Transl., Arch. Skand. Beitr. ii. p. 143; Reprint, p. 67 (1848);Heugl.Ant. u. Büff. N.O.-Afr. (N. Act. Leop. xxx. pt. 2) p. 9 (1863);Fitz.SB. Ak. Wien, lix. pt. 1, p. 168 (1869);Heugl.Reise N.O.-Afr. ii. p. 107 (1877).

Antilope hemprichii,Rüpp.N. Wirb. Abyss., Mamm. p. 25 (1835).

Tragelaphus hemprichii,Rüpp.Verz. Senck. Mus. p. 37 (1842).

Madoqua hemprichii,Ogilb.P. Z. S. 1836, p. 137.

Neotragus hemprichii,Brehm, Thierl. iii. p. 255 (1880).

Vernacular Names:—Beni Israelat Massowa;Atroin Tigré;Endjuin Tigrenya;Dik-dikat Kassala;Sequéréin Danak;Kéoin Djeng (Heuglin).

Size large, height at withers 14–15 inches. Face rich rufous, crest of much the same colour. Neck coarsely lined cinereous grey. Back fulvous or rufous fawn, becoming scarcely more rufous on the sides. Chin and belly whitish, more or less tinged with fawn. Limbs pale rufous. Tail, as usual, like the back.

Skull with the nasals less shortened than in group B. Anteorbital vacuities large. Premaxillæ, although rather more lengthened, yet not strikingly more so than in other Antilopes, and their upper profile but little curved. Basal length in a good male 3·75 inches, greatest breadth 2·27, muzzle to orbit 2·1, tip of nasals to tip of premaxillæ 1·3.

Horns short, nearly straight, strongly ridged basally.

Hab.Coast-range of Eastern Abyssinia.

Our countryman Henry Salt, F.R.S., who travelled into the interior of Abyssinia at the beginning of the present century, and obtained many objects of Natural History, was the original discoverer of this species, which appropriately bears his name. It will be found mentioned in the fourth Appendix to his ‘Voyage in Abyssinia’ under the name “Madoqua” by which he says it is called in Tigré. Salt’s specimen in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons attracted the notice of M. de Blainville when he came to London in1815 to collect materials for his articles on Mammals, and upon them was based the nameAntilope saltiana, by which de Blainville afterwards described them before the Société Philomatique of Paris.

The next observer that seems to have met with this Antelope was the German naturalist Rüppell, who transmitted many specimens to the Senckenbergian Museum at Frankfort-on-the-Main. These were correctly described and figured by Cretzschmar in his Atlas to Rüppell’s ‘Travels,’ published in 1826. Rüppell met with this species in great numbers on the eastern flanks of the Abyssinian coast-range, where, he says, it is known by the natives as the “Atro.” “It is found amongst the low brush-wood, and is fleet and wary in escaping from its numerous enemies.”

About the same time Salt’s Dik-dik was figured by Lichtenstein from specimens in the Berlin Museum obtained by Hemprich and Ehrenberg near Massowah, under the nameAntilope saltiana. But these celebrated travellers, when they came to treat of it again in their ‘Symbolæ Physicæ,’ although they used the nameAntilope saltianaon their plate, proposed in their letterpress to change it to that ofAntilope hemprichiana(of Ehrenberg’s MS.), alleging that the originalAntilope saltianaof Blainville must have referred to some different species. These authors tell us that Hemprich obtained his first specimens of this species in the month of May, in the woods of the Gedam Mountains, and others in the month of July, near Ilet. They describe it as very common in these localities, but not gregarious. A gravid female was obtained at the beginning of May.

Mr. W. T. Blanford, when accompanying the Abyssinian Expedition of 1867–68, met with numerous examples of this Antelope, of which he gives us the following account:—

“The ‘Beni Israel’ or ‘Om-dig-dig,’ one of the smallest Antelopes known, abounds on the shores of the Red Sea and throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Abyssinia. It is occasionally, but rarely, found at higher elevations; I heard of instances of its being shot both at Senafé and Dildi; but it is not often seen above about 6000 feet. It inhabits bushes, keeping much to heavy jungle on the banks of watercourses, and is usually single, or in pairs, either a male and female or a female and young being found together; less often the female is accompanied by two younger ones, which remain with her until full-grown.

“LikeGazella dorcasand many larger Antelopes, the Beni Israel has thehabit of depositing its dung frequently on the same spot, so that its usual haunts may be known by little piles of its droppings. It rarely leaves the shelter of the bushes during the day, and is, I suspect, somewhat nocturnal in its habits, as I have seen it feeding on leaves at the edges of the jungle in the dusk of evening.

“All the specimens of Salt’s Antelope seen in the Anseba valley differed from those of the coast and of the pass between Komayli and Senafé in their much more rufous colour. There is no distinction, so far as I can see, in size or shape. I am inclined to look upon this as an unimportant variation, the more so that, as previously noticed when speaking of theHyraces, many animals, and especially mammals, have a tendency at times or in particular localities to assume a rufous phase; so that the difference between rufous and grey, or rufous and brown, is one of the least characteristic and certain of specific distinctions.”

Another good authority on Abyssinian Mammals, Theodor von Heuglin, has also told us that this little Antelope is very common in the Abyssinian coast-district, ranging north to the mountains of the Beni Amer, and westwards as far as Takeh. He says that it is more plentiful in the bushes on the borders of the hill-district than on the plateau of the sea-coast, and that it ascends the mountains to a height of 6000 feet. Finally, as is recorded by Dr. Giglioli, the Italian naturalists Boutourline and Traversi, who went to Shoa in 1884, obtained specimens of this Antelope much further south, at Assab. It is, however, quite possible that these last-named examples may have belonged to one of the allied species which next follow.

Salt’s Dik-dik is represented in the British Museum by a mounted pair in the Gallery, of which the male was obtained by Rüppell and the female by Sir William Cornwallis Harris. There are also in that Collection skins of both sexes procured by Mr. Blanford during the Abyssinian Expedition, and a skeleton and skull collected by Mr. Jesse on the same occasion.

Our figure of this Antelope (Plate XXX.) was put on the stone by Mr. Smit from a water-colour drawing by Wolf. This drawing, which was prepared under Sir Victor Brooke’s direction, is now in Sir Douglas Brooke’s possession.

December, 1895.

Neotragus saltianus(in part),Swayne, P. Z. S. 1892, p. 307.Madoqua swaynei,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328 (Berbera);Hoyos, Zu den Aulihan, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Neotragus saltianus(in part),Swayne, P. Z. S. 1892, p. 307.

Madoqua swaynei,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328 (Berbera);Hoyos, Zu den Aulihan, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Vernacular Names:—Guyuof Somalia (Swayne), and, with the other SomaliDik-diks,Sakároas a generic name (Swayne).

Similar in almost all respects toM. saltiana, but considerably smaller. Back grizzled grey, with a fulvous suffusion. Sides not, or scarcely, more rufous than back. Limbs pale rufous.

Skull like that ofM. saltiana, but much smaller. Basal length (male) 3·06 inches, greatest breadth 1·9, muzzle to orbit 1·6, tip of nasals to tip of premaxillæ 1·03.

Hab.Northern half of Somaliland.

In Northern Somaliland the place of Salt’s Dik-dik appears to be taken by two other forms, which were first discriminated by Thomas in an article upon these dwarf Antelopes read before the Zoological Society in April 1864. The present species Thomas named after the enthusiastic naturalist and sportsman Capt. H. G. C. Swayne, R.E., who called Thomas’s attention to its distinctness, and who first furnished the National Collection with specimens.

Swayne’s Dik-dik is, perhaps, of somewhat doubtful position in the genus. In colour it nearly resembles the larger Abyssinian speciesMadoqua 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.

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.

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.

Neotragus saltianus,Blyth, J. A. S. B. xxiv. p. 297 (Berbera);id.Cat. Mamm. Mus. As. Soc. p. 168 (1863);Thos.P. Z. S. 1891, p. 211;Ward, Horn Meas. p. 80 (1892);Swayne, P. Z. S. 1892, p. 307 (in part).Madoqua phillipsi,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 327 (fig. skull) (Dobwain, Somaliland); Hoyos, Zu den Auliban, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Madoqua phillipsi,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 327 (fig. skull) (Dobwain, Somaliland); Hoyos, Zu den Auliban, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Vernacular Name:—Gol-Assof Somalis (Swayne).

Size rather larger than in typical examples ofM. swaynei. Head, neck, and back coloured as inM. saltiana, except that the rufous of the crown and back of ears is deeper and richer. Shoulders and flanks rich bright rufous, very different from the faint rufous ofM. saltiana. The rufous encroaches a good deal on the chest, but the chin and belly are as usual whitish. Limbs rich rufous.

Skull and horns as inM. saltiana, but smaller. Basal length 3·25 inches, greatest breadth 2·05, muzzle to orbit 1·76, tip of nasals to tip of pre-maxillaries 1·1.

Hab.Northern Somaliland.

This Dik-dik was discriminated by Thomas in 1894 in the same communication to the Zoological Society of London as that in which he described Swayne’s Dik-dik, and was named after Mr. E. Lort Phillips, another well-known explorer of Somaliland, who has specially devoted himself to the studyof the birds of that country[3]. Phillips’s Dik-dik is by far the most beautiful and brightly coloured member of the genus, as will be seen by reference to our figure (Plate XXXI. fig. 2), which has been prepared by Mr. Smit from a specimen in the British Museum. The brilliant rufous of its sides make a fine contrast to the grey of the neck and back.

The “Gol-Ass” or “Red-belly” of the Somalis, Capt. Swayne tells us, is shot all over Gastan and Ogo and in parts of the Hand and Ogaden. In the maritime plain of Berbera they appear to be very abundant, and Capt. P. Z. Cox has lately sent to the British Museum three good skeletons and face-skins obtained in that district in July last. Mr. Melliss, in his recently published ‘Lion-hunting in Somali-land,’ speaks of his rencontre with the Dik-diks as follows:—

“How pleasant it was, walking through the jungle ahead of the string of camels, gun in hand, in the delicious cool of the dawn, for the animal world was up too. Constantly the dainty little Sand-antelopes would spring away through the bushes at my approach. These charming little creatures, called in Somali-land ‘Dĭk-dĭks,’ in size scarcely as big as an English hare, are the most dainty miniatures of the Antelope race. They are ever in pairs of male and female, are much alike, except that the male has two tiny horns about an inch or two long, with a brown tuft of hair between them. Their skins vary in colour from a silvery grey to a russet-brown.”

Mr. E. Lort Phillips, after whom this Antelope is named, has kindly supplied us with the following notes on it and its fellows of the same genus:—“Captain Swayne, in his volume ‘Somali-land,’ has so ably described these tiny Antelopes that little remains for me to say. With regard, however, to the name ‘Dik-dik,’ by which they are now so generally known, I would point out that this is not a Somali term, but hails from the country near Suakim, where it is the native name for theMadoqua saltiana. When suddenly startled, these little creatures bound off uttering shrill whistling notes of alarm. These notes are exactly represented by the words ‘zick-zick, zick-zick’: hence the Arab name. I have shot specimens of four species ofMadoqua, namelyM. saltiana,M. swaynei,M. guentheri, andM. phillipsi, and it is interesting to note that the habits and alarm-notes of each areidentical. One curious habit which I have not seen recorded is that they seem to like to return to the same spot for their evacuations, their droppings forming little mounds mingled with the sand that they scrape up all round.”

Fig. 27.Skull ofMadoqua phillipsi(reduced).(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 327.)

Fig. 27.

Skull ofMadoqua phillipsi(reduced).

(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 327.)

Our figure of the skull of this species is taken from that given in the Zoological Society’s ‘Proceedings,’ by the kind permission of the Society.

Besides the two specimens in spirits from Berbera obtained by Mr. E. Lort Phillips (one of which is the type) the British Museum contains several skins and skulls from Capt. Swayne’s collection, two skins from Milmil collected by Dr. Donaldson Smith, and those of Capt. Cox already referred to.

Our figure of this species (Plate XXXI. fig. 2) has been prepared from these specimens by Mr. Smit.

December, 1895.

?Neotragus saltianus,Bocage, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 743 (Angola).Neotragus damarensis,Günth.P. Z. S. 1880, p. 20 (fig. skull) (Damaraland);Flow. & Lyd.Mamm. p. 338 (1891);Lyd.Horns and Hoofs, p. 215 (1893).Nanotragus damarensis,Nicolls & Egl.Sportsm. in S. Afr. p. 56 (1892).Madoqua damarensis,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 329.Cephalophus hemprichianus,Jent.N. L. M. ix. p. 172 (1887) (Mossamedes).

?Neotragus saltianus,Bocage, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 743 (Angola).

Neotragus damarensis,Günth.P. Z. S. 1880, p. 20 (fig. skull) (Damaraland);Flow. & Lyd.Mamm. p. 338 (1891);Lyd.Horns and Hoofs, p. 215 (1893).

Nanotragus damarensis,Nicolls & Egl.Sportsm. in S. Afr. p. 56 (1892).

Madoqua damarensis,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 329.

Cephalophus hemprichianus,Jent.N. L. M. ix. p. 172 (1887) (Mossamedes).

Size largest of the genus. General colour greyish on the crown and along the centre of the back, pale rufous on the backs of the ears, sides, and limbs. Tuft on crown mixed with black.

Skull apparently similar to that of the next species, except for its greater size, but as we have only seen a single imperfect example, it is possible that other differences will be found when more material is examined. Greatest breadth of skull (c.) 2·2 inches, muzzle to front of orbit 2·23, to back of orbit 3·4.

Hab.Damaraland, and probably Southern Angola.

In South-western Africa the Dik-diks are represented by a somewhat similar species of rather larger size, of which, however, we as yet know very little. In fact the typical specimen in the British Museum and two others in the South-African Museum, Capetown, are the only authentic examples of this species yet received, though it is probable that specimens in the Lisbon and Leyden Museums may be likewise referable to it.

Fig. 28.Fore part of skull ofMadoqua damarensis; side view (reduced).(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 21.)

Fig. 28.

Fore part of skull ofMadoqua damarensis; side view (reduced).

(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 21.)

Fig. 28a. Upper view of snout ofM. damarensis.Fig. 28b. Lower view of snout ofM. damarensis.Fig. 28c. Lower view of snout ofM. saltiana.(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 21.)

Fig. 28a. Upper view of snout ofM. damarensis.

Fig. 28b. Lower view of snout ofM. damarensis.

Fig. 28c. Lower view of snout ofM. saltiana.

(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 21.)

Fig. 28d. Posterior mandibulary molar ofM. saltiana.Fig. 28e. Posterior mandibulary molar ofM. damarensis.(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 22.)

Fig. 28d. Posterior mandibulary molar ofM. saltiana.

Fig. 28e. Posterior mandibulary molar ofM. damarensis.

(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 22.)

In 1879 Sclater received from Mr. Roland Trimen, F.R.S., then Curator of the South-African Museum, Capetown, a female specimen of a Dik-dik whichhad been obtained by Mr. Eriksson in Damaraland, and handed it over to Dr. Günther for determination. Dr. Günther described it, at a meeting of the Zoological Society of London in January 1880, as belonging to a new species, which he proposed to call “damarensis” after its locality. Dr. Günther pointed out that externally the new species resembled the AbyssinianM. saltianavery nearly, but was unmistakably different in cranial characters, which he described as follows:—“As inM. saltiana, the intermaxillary and lacrymal bones form a suture together. But the lateral branches of theintermaxillary are much narrower than in that species, and altogether of the same shape as inM. kirki; and the entire prelacrymal part of the snout is narrower than inM. saltiana, which is especially striking in the lower view of the snout (figs. 28band 28c). Also with regard to the form and size of the nasal bones the new species is in some measure intermediate between the two other species. The suture, by which the nasals are united with the frontals, forms a much more obtuse angle than inM. saltiana, but is not a straight transverse line as inM. kirki. The size of these bones is the same as in the Abyssinian species. The hindermost molar of the lower jaw has a third lobe developed behind with a single enamel fold as inM. kirki. The nasal cavity seems to be as distensible as in the Abyssinian species.”

Mr. Trimen furnished Sclater with the following information respecting this specimen:—

“It was sent to me in March last from Damaraland by Mr. Eriksson, who has lately presented to us a male specimen. The Museum previously possessed a young male, also a Damaraland specimen, presented by the late Mr. James Chapman.... The colouring of the male and female is the same; but the adult male has straight horns 2¾ inches long, with prominent irregular ridges (seven in one example) circling their basal half. In the young male that we have the horns are 1 inch shorter, and there are only three undeveloped ridges.

“Mr. Eriksson informs me that this Antelope frequents rocky hills in the vicinity of Omaruru (about a degree north of Walvisch Bay), but is not easily procured, owing to its great agility among its stony haunts.”

Judging from the localities it would appear highly probable that the Dik-diks obtained on the River Cunene by the well-known Portugese collector d’Anchieta, and referred by M. Barboza du Bocage toM. saltiana, as also the skull in the Leyden Museum procured in Mossamedes by Mr. P. J. Van der Kellen, and assigned by Dr. Jentink in 1887 to “Cephalophus hemprichianus” will be found to belong toMadoqua damarensis, and that this species extends into the southern provinces of Angola, where the country is of the same character as in Damaraland.

December, 1895.

Neotragus kirkii,Günth.P. Z. S. 1880, p. 17 (fig. head & skull) (Brava, S. Somaliland);Thos.P. Z. S. 1885, p. 222 (Kilima-njaro);Johnston, Kilima-njaro, p. 355 (1886);Hunter, in Willoughby’s E. Africa, p. 290 (1889);W. Scl.Cat. Mamm. Calc. Mus. ii. p. 166 (1891);Flow. & Lyd.Mamm. p. 338 (1891);Ward, Horn Meas. p. 79 (1892);Lyd.Horns and Hoofs, p. 215 (1893);Jackson, Badm. Big Game Shooting, i. pp. 285, 310 (1894);Matschie, Ost-Afr. Säugeth. p. 118 (1895).Neotragus damarensis,True, P. U. S. Nat. Mus. xv. p. 477, pl. lxxx. (skull) (1892).Madoqua kirkii,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328.

Neotragus damarensis,True, P. U. S. Nat. Mus. xv. p. 477, pl. lxxx. (skull) (1892).

Madoqua kirkii,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 328.

Vernacular Name:—Paaof Swahilis (Jackson and others).—In common withRaphicerus campestrisandNeotragus moschatus.

Size medium. Proboscis more developed than in group A. General colour coarsely grizzled greyish fawn, more or less suffused with fulvous on the back, and with rufous on the sides and neck. Limbs rufous, but of very variable intensity.

Skull with the modification due to the development of a proboscis much more striking than in the first section of the genus, although not carried to such an extreme as inM. guentheri. Premaxillæ slender, their upper edge forming anS-shaped curve; their ascending process sometimes ending just above the anterior tooth, and sometimes rising nearly or quite to meet the nasals. Nasals very short. Last lower molar with the usual third lobe characteristic of all other ruminants but those of theM. saltianagroup. Even here, however, the lobe is very small. Dimensions of a good male example:—Basallength 3·7 inches, greatest breadth 1·95, muzzle to orbit 2·03, muzzle to tip of nasals 1·25.

Horns thick, strongly ridged below, seldom exceeding 2½ or 2¾ inches in length.

Hab.E. Africa from Southern Somaliland to Ugogo.

This Dik-dik was likewise first described by Dr. Günther in 1880 from specimens transmitted to the British Museum by Sir John Kirk, who procured them near Brava, on the coast of Southern Somaliland. Dr. Günther drew special attention to the peculiar form of the elongated muzzle in this species. This feature, as will be seen by the illustration (fig. 29), which we are able to reproduce by his leave and that of the Zoological Society, is a prominent character inMadoqua kirki, as in the preceding and following species.

Fig. 29.Head ofMadoqua kirki(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 17.)

Fig. 29.

Head ofMadoqua kirki

(P. Z. S. 1880, p. 17.)

The conformation of the skull of this species, as has been pointed out by us above, and previously much commented upon by Dr. Günther, is anothernoteworthy peculiarity. It is shown in the two illustrations (figs. 29aand 29b), for the use of which we are likewise indebted to the Zoological Society and Dr. Günther.

Fig. 29a.Skull ofMadoqua kirki(side view).(P.Z.S. 1880, p. 19.)

Fig. 29a.

Skull ofMadoqua kirki(side view).

(P.Z.S. 1880, p. 19.)

Fig. 29b.Skull ofMadoqua kirki(upper view).(P.Z.S. 1880, p. 20.)

Fig. 29b.

Skull ofMadoqua kirki(upper view).

(P.Z.S. 1880, p. 20.)

Further south on the east coast of Africa this Dik-dik has been obtained near Lamu by Consul Haggard and on the island of Manda, in the same district, by Sir John Kirk, both of whom have contributed specimens of it from this quarter to the National Collection. But south of the Sabaki RiverM. kirkiappears to desert the coast, and to extend into the interior to the Kilimanjaro district. Sir H. H. Johnston, the first scientific explorer of Kilimanjaro, met with this Dik-dik at a high altitude on that mountain, and in his ‘Kilimanjaro Expedition’ (p. 355) has given us a characteristic drawing of its head. A subsequent explorer of Kilimanjaro, Dr. W. L. Abbott, obtained four specimens of this Antelope near Taveta; these were referred by Mr. True, in his article on Dr. Abbott’s Mammals, toM. damarensis, from which he did not distinguish the present species. Mr. H. C. V. Hunter also obtained this Dik-dik “near the foot of Kilimanjaro,” and hasfurnished the British Museum with a skin and skull from that locality. He says it is “common there, in bush interspersed with aloes on dry soil,” and “appears to subsist without water.”

Finally, Mr. F. J. Jackson, in his interesting volume on ‘Big Game Shooting,’ gives us the following information on this Antelope:—“The Paa is found throughout East Africa in thick and open bush on dry sandy soil. It is exceedingly plentiful on Manda Island, opposite Lamu, Merereni, the thick bush east of Taveta, and again in Ngaboto in the Suk country. It is the smallest of the East-African Antelopes, and is usually bagged with a shot-gun and No. 5 shot, as it darts about among the bush and scrub like a rabbit. The flesh of this little beast has a strong flavour of musk and is very disagreeable to eat at all times, but in the rutting season is altogether uneatable; the natives, however, revel in it. Its note of alarm is between a shrill whistle and a scream. It feeds on the leaves of various shrubs, and doubtless its curious little prehensile nose is admirably adapted to securing its food. The Paa is found throughout the year in the driest and most arid wildernesses, where for several months there is neither rain nor even a drop of standing water for many miles round. It is therefore quite evident that the juices of the vegetation on which it feeds and the dews at night are sufficient for its requirements. The best way to obtain this little beast is to take three or four men to act as beaters, and they must thoroughly beat every bush at all likely to hold a buck, as it is in the habit of lying very close, and it takes a good deal to move it, but when once started it affords capital snap-shots.”

South of Kilimanjaro this Dik-dik has been obtained by Herr Neumann at several localities in the interior of German East Africa, in Irangi and Northern Ugogo, and on Mount Gurui, and by Böhmer near Mpapwa. But Sir John Kirk assures us that in his extensive experience he has never met with it on the coast south of the Sabaki River.

The variations in colour of this species have caused us some difficulty, as while some specimens are strongly black-lined, without any, or with little, rufous on the sides, neck, and throat, others are clear rufous, almost without lining, on these parts. The strongest-lined specimen we have seen comes from Kilimanjaro[4], while the most rufous is from Lamu. Curiouslyenough, however, the types, from Brava, South Somaliland, are fairly intermediate in their colour between the two, although, if anything, rather more like the one geographically most distant, that from Kilimanjaro.

In the skulls again, while, as is usual in these Antelopes, considerable differences are to be observed between any two skulls compared together, these differences do not appear to be correlated either with locality or colour-characters. In fact, with regard to the extension backwards of the premaxillæ towards the nasals, one specimen in the British Museum Collection has the two extremes on the two sides of its skull, showing conclusively that this character cannot be relied upon.

We have therefore come to the conclusion that, so far as the colour and skull-characters here mentioned are concerned, the Kilimanjaro, Lamu, and Brava Dik-diks cannot be separated from one another, even as subspecies or local races.

December, 1895.

Neotragus, sp.,Lort Phillips, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 932 (Somali plateau).Neotragus kirkii,Scl.P. Z. S. 1886, p. 504; id. in James, Unknown Horn of Africa, p. 269 (1888).Madoqua guentheri,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 324 (figs. of skull) (Ogaden);Hoyos, Zu den Aulihan, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Neotragus, sp.,Lort Phillips, P. Z. S. 1885, p. 932 (Somali plateau).

Neotragus kirkii,Scl.P. Z. S. 1886, p. 504; id. in James, Unknown Horn of Africa, p. 269 (1888).

Madoqua guentheri,Thos.P. Z. S. 1894, p. 324 (figs. of skull) (Ogaden);Hoyos, Zu den Aulihan, p. 185 (1895);Swayne, Somaliland, p. 318 (1895).

Vernacular Name:—Gussuliof Somalis (Swayne).

Size ofM. kirki. Proboscis much more elongated. General colour coarsely grizzled greyish fawn, very much as in Kilimanjaro examples ofM. kirki. No rufous on the sides, and that on the limbs very dull. Crest much mixed with black. Backs of ears greyish fawn.

Skull with the nasals even more shortened than inM. kirki, and the muzzle even longer and slenderer. In fact the whole appearance of the skull shows that the proboscis is much more developed than in any other member of the group. Front of the nasals only about level with the back of the middle premolar. Premaxillæ short, not nearly reaching the nasals. Basal length (male) 3·6 inches, greatest breadth 2·08, muzzle to orbit 2·04, tip of nasals to tip of premaxillae 1·56.

Horns slender, those of the only adult Somali male we have seen—that presented to the British Museum by Mr. Bonham Christie—longer than usual, just over 3½ inches.

Hab.Plateau of Central Somaliland.

Günther’s Dik-dik, as Thomas has named this species, after the distinguishednaturalist who has lately vacated the post of Keeper of Zoology in the British Museum, is the third member of the genus found in Somaliland, but, as a rule, it inhabits a different district fromM. swayneiandM. phillipsi, though Capt. Swayne thinks that in some cases their ranges may overlap. It belongs to the long-snouted section of the genus, like the two preceding species, but has its nose still more lengthened and proboscis-like.

Fig. 30. Skull ofMadoqua guentheri(side view, reduced).(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 324.)Fig. 30a. Skull ofMadoqua guentheri(from above, reduced).(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 325.)

Fig. 30. Skull ofMadoqua guentheri(side view, reduced).

(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 324.)

Fig. 30a. Skull ofMadoqua guentheri(from above, reduced).

(P. Z. S. 1894, p. 325.)

Mr. Lort Phillips, so far as we know, was the first of the explorers of Somaliland to bring home an example of this Dik-dik. But when that sportsman read his notes on the Somali Antelopes, obtained during his journey of 1884, before the Zoological Society, Sclater did not venture to determine the single immature skull that was obtained, and in his subsequent notes on the same specimen, read in 1885, he referred it with some doubt toM. kirki.

It was not until 1894 that the additional examples of this Dik-dik receivedby the British Museum from Capt. Swayne enabled Thomas to vindicate its claim to stand as a distinct species.

Capt. Swayne, in his lately published ‘Seventeen Trips to Somaliland,’ gives us the following notes on his experiences with theGussuli, as the Somalis call this Antelope:—“I came onGussulifor the first time about a day’s journey south of Seyyid Mahomed’s village in the Malingúr tribe, and found it to exist all over the Rer Amáden country. Its range coincides nearly with that of the rhinoceros, and it is found, like the latter animal, in parts of the Haud, where its ground overlaps with the range of theGol-Ass. TheGussuliis if anything slightly larger than theGol-Ass, and of a dead grey colour, with a white belly. The female appears to be much larger than the male; and it is a pretty safe rule, when trying to shoot the buck of a pair, to aim at the smaller one.

“TheGol-AssandGuyuhave short muzzles, while that of theGussuliis very long, resembling the snout of a tapir. The two former Antelopes are found in pairs, seldom more than three being seen together. They give a shrill alarm whistle, uttered two or three times in quick succession, and are often a nuisance, being apt to disturb more valuable game. TheGussulistart up three or four at a time, and sometimes the undergrowth seems to be alive with them. These small Antelopes are very easily knocked over with a shot-gun and No. 4 shot. They give good sport in the evening, when they are liveliest, especially if followed silently and fired at with a rook-rifle, for they give plenty of chances when they stand to look back. The female exposes herself most, and is consequently most often shot.”

Mr. Robert B. B. Christie, of Birling House, Maidstone, who has quite recently sent a skin of this Dik-dik to the British Museum from the interior of Somaliland, writes of it:—“The locality I obtained this specimen from was, as nearly as possible, lat. 7° 30’ N., long. 43° 20’ E. The country was a high broken rocky table-land, thickly covered with thorn forest with large areas of low thorn scrub-bush; in the latter the ‘Long-nosed Dik-dik’ is principally found; where there are patches of the spear-shaped aloe is also a favourite spot for this small Antelope on the banks of the nullahs and the lower parts of the low rocky hills. South of lat. 7° 30’ and west of long. 43° 20’ I found them numerous, becoming still more so the further I went west up to the Galla country. In August and September I noticed that they were generally in pairs, male and female, in company with others, from sixto twelve being the average number to find close together. I saw no very young ones at this time. When alarmed they dart away among the bushes and then turn round and stand motionless with head erect, and make a curious whistling hiss when startled. My servants told me that north of the Tug Jerad I should not find them; and this proved to be the case, as I did not myself see them north of the Tug Fafau. This would make their northern limit about lat. 7° 30’. Although so small, they reminded me, by their quick darts among the thorn-scrub, of the South-African Duiker. I cannot tell the altitude of the district, as we had no instruments for the purpose, but I should say that it was about 3000 feet above the sea. The ordinary Dik-dik (probablyM. phillipsi) was found in this district and was very numerous; often you would see some of both kinds close together.”

Graf Hoyos, in his recently published volume of travel and sport, ‘Zu den Aulihan,’ likewise mentions this species as occurring on the Somali plateau.

It is probable also that Günther’s Dik-dik may extend into the interior of British East Africa, as two skulls lately examined by Thomas which were in Mr. F. J. Jackson’s collection apparently belong to this species.

Our coloured figure of this Dik-dik (Plate XXXI. fig. 1) has been prepared by Mr. Smit from the typical specimens in the British Museum.

December, 1895.

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