Cobus penricei, Rothsch. Nov. Zool. ii. p. 32, pl. iv. fig. 1 (1895); Bryden, Field, vol. lxxxvii. p. 653 (April 25, 1896).
Vernacular Name:—Kring-hart of the Trek-Boers of Benguela.
Of about the size of C. ellipsiprymnus and its allies (height at shoulders 45 inches), but at once distinguishable by its intensely blackish colour. Muzzle whitish; face black, with rufous hairs between the horns. Stripe over eye white. Ears outside rufous brown, with blackish tips and edges, inside white. Sides of face, neck, and body deep brownish black, plentifully interspersed with reddish-brown hairs, which are white at the base and give the effect of a “blue-roan.” This colour is more conspicuous on the belly, where the hairs are longer, but much less so on the legs and hind half of the back, which parts are almost uniform brownish black. A slight white ring round the hoofs. Tail above black, beneath white. A large patch of white on the upper throat.
Horns shorter and stouter than in the allied species; length along the curve in three specimens 19, 24½, and 28 inches.
Female similar, but without horns, and ears less rufous and more brown.
Hab. Interior of Benguela, Angola.
This Waterbuck is certainly very closely allied to Crawshay’s Waterbuck, and it is not easy to point out any material points of difference. The only specimens yet obtained being at Tring and those of C. crawshayi in the British Museum, we have not been able to make a direct comparison. But it would appear that the present animal is generally more blackish in colour and has shorter and stouter horns. Besides this, the respective localities of the two forms are so remote that it would not be safe to unite them without evidence that the same animal occurs in intermediate localities.
Mr. G. W. Penrice, the discoverer of this Antelope, and after whom it has been named by Mr. Rothschild, is resident, we are informed, at Cabo Submarino, near Benguela, the port and capital of the Province of the same name in the Portuguese Colony of Angola. During his hunting excursions in the interior Mr. Penrice came across specimens of it “near Bongo, on the banks of the Kuvali River, about one hundred miles south-east of Benguela and fifty miles from Caconda.” In a letter to Mr. Rowland Ward, Mr. Penrice says that it is “pretty numerous” in this locality, but “is not found nearer the coast.” He adds that these Antelopes “have a strong smell, and that he has often smelt them before sighting them. As a rule the bulls and cows are found in separate troops.”
An account of Penrice’s Waterbuck has been given by Mr. H. A. Bryden, in an article published in ‘The Field’ of April 25th last; but few additional particulars are furnished concerning it, although a list of other hunting-trophies obtained by Mr. Penrice in the same district is added. As regards Benguela, Mr. Bryden tells us that it is a most difficult country to hunt in, it being almost impossible to keep horses alive there, and the bush being very thick and nearly impenetrable, while the climate, especially near the coast, is not healthy. Nevertheless, we hope it may not be long before we get from some of our energetic sportsmen further information respecting this little-known species of Waterbuck.
Our Plate, which represents both sexes of it, has been prepared by Mr. Smit, by the kind permission of Mr. Rothschild, from the typical specimens in the Tring Museum.