Fig. 109.
Horns and feet of Speke’s Sitatunga.
(P. Z. S. 1864, p. 104.)
“So far as is known at present, Speke’s Antelope is not to be found anywhere in East Africa between the Victoria Nyanza and the coast—in fact, the only occasion on which I had the good fortune to encounter it was during my sojourn in the Budda district of Uganda along with Capt. R. H. Williams, in the early part of 1893, under the following circumstances:—
“We were told by the natives that these Antelopes (called by them ‘Chobé’ or ‘Njobé’) existed in great numbers on one of the small outlying islands which constitute the Sesse group in the Victoria Lake. Being anxious to prove the truth of this report, we embarked, and proceeded thither in canoes. The island in question, which is situated well out in the Lake at a distance of some 10 miles from the main island, was reached on the afternoon of the second day. The shores are low and rocky, and, with the exception of a small turf-covered portion at its southern extremity, it is entirely covered with dense, almost impenetrable bush, interspersed only by a number of fine trees, principally species of Ficus. In shape it is something like an irregular hour-glass, being possibly a third of a mile in length and a few hundred yards across its greatest width. A very short examination revealed the presence of the Antelopes, and finding it impossible to approach them by any ordinary methods of stalking, a drive was organized, with the aid of the canoemen, with most satisfactory results: the total bag amounted to 24 head, including some fine specimens both male and female. This afforded ample testimony to their extraordinary numbers, as, owing to the dense character of the bush, it was impossible to see more than a few yards in any direction, and many of them passed us unseen. The greater number were killed in the first drive, after which the majority took refuge in the Lake, which is said to be their habit when hard pressed, though Speke describes them as being fierce and aggressive under such circumstances. The specimens procured on this occasion have been identified as true Sitatungas, though it is impossible to imagine how they ever got on to the island, or came to frequent a locality which is so entirely at variance with their usual habits.
“These Antelopes are said to have also existed formerly on a small neighbouring island, but to have been exterminated there by the Ba-Sesse canoemen.”
During his recent travels in Uganda, Herr Oscar Neumann also obtained a series of skins of this Antelope, which, as already mentioned, he has most kindly lent to us for examination. We are sorry not to have received any exact particulars respecting the specimens, except that they were procured from the natives in the districts of Kavirondo, Usoga, and Uganda, on the shores of Lake Victoria. Herr Neumann has also sent us two pairs of horns of this species, which were obtained from the “Wakenji” in the swamps west of Mount Elgon. Along with these specimens we have received for comparison from the authorities of the Berlin Museum a flat skin obtained by Herr Stuhlmann near the slopes of Mt. Ruwenzori.
The National Museum of this country is, we regret to say, very imperfectly furnished with specimens of the East-African form of the Sitatunga, containing only the original examples of Speke. It will be evident, therefore, that Herr Neumann’s kind assistance in this matter has been of considerable value to us.
Fig. 110.