Hab. South-east Africa from Mozambique to Zululand.
In the Portuguese territory of Mozambique, and so on to Zululand, we find the place of the Zanzibar Antelope occupied by a nearly allied but larger species, with much thicker and more strongly ridged horns. This is Livingstone’s Antelope, discovered by Sir John Kirk during his companionship with the celebrated traveller after whom he named it. Sir John Kirk obtained his specimens at Shupanga and Lupata on the Zambesi, where, he says, it is called “Ramsa” or “Lumdsa,” and described them in an article on the Mammals of Zambesia, published in the Zoological Society’s ‘Proceedings’ for 1864. In habits, he tells us, Livingstone’s Antelope much resembles its ally of Zanzibar; it frequents dense underwood, and lives in pairs. On being started it runs off quickly, not unlike a hare, and conceals itself in some tuft of grass or small bush.
It is probable, as suggested by Sir John Kirk, that the Antilope moschata of Peters, met with by that distinguished naturalist at Tette on the Zambesi, should be referred to the present species.
Little more was known of this Antelope until 1893, when the British Museum received from the well-known African sportsman Mr. A. H. Neumann specimens of a small Antelope obtained in Northern Zululand in April of the previous year. On comparing these with the scalp and skull on which Nesotragus livingstonianus had been based by Sir John Kirk, Thomas came to the conclusion that they belonged to the same species. Although the horns of Mr. Neumann’s specimen were stouter and heavier, the differences appeared to be such as might be attributable to age.
In a letter published in the ‘Field’ newspaper (of September 3rd, 1892) Mr. Neumann has given the following particulars respecting this Antelope:—
“I have known of the existence of this Antelope in South-eastern Africa for many years, but have only lately had an opportunity of obtaining a specimen. The native name for it is ‘Inhlengana.’ It is barely larger than the tiny Blue-buck of S. Africa, but carries very much larger horns in proportion to its size. The specimen sent is an old male. The white hairs on the head are said to be from age, and not general to the species. This one was killed in North-eastern Zululand, which district seems to be the southerly limit of its range. It frequents the densely bushed parts of the low flats between the coast and the Bombo range. How far north it ranges I cannot say, but I first heard of it in the neighbourhood of the Lower Limpopo and Komati rivers.
“It has a very strong musky scent, the source of which appears to be the large glands (the hollows for which are conspicuous in the skull) below the eyes, and of which the openings appear in the skin. So powerful is this odour that it may often be perceived pervading the bushes that the bucks frequent. Even the flesh (of the male, at all events) is so highly flavoured by this peculiar essence as to be barely eatable.
Fig. 25.
Skull of Nesotragus livingstonianus, ♂.