The bluebuck (Hippotragus leucophaeus), now extinct, was a South African antelope. Classified in the same genus as the roan antelope and sable antelope, it was smaller than either. The largest mounted bluebuck specimen is 119 centimetres (47 in) tall at the withers, with horns measuring 56.5 centimetres (22.2 in) along the curve. The bluebuck's coat was bluish-grey, with a pale whitish belly. It was a grazer, and may have calved where rainfall would peak. When encountered by Europeans, it was confined to a 4,300-square-kilometre (1,700 sq mi) grassland habitat of the southwestern Cape, but fossils and rock paintings give evidence of a larger distribution. The first published mention of the bluebuck is from 1681. The few 18th-century illustrations appear to have been based on stuffed specimens. Hunted by European settlers, the bluebuck was the first large African mammal that went extinct in historical times, around 1800. Only four mounted specimens remain, in museums in Leiden, Stockholm, Vienna, and Paris; other museums contain skulls and horns.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebuck

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1292:

John Balliol was chosen to be King of Scots over Robert de Brus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Balliol

1796:

French Revolutionary Wars: French forces defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Arcole in a manoeuvre to cut the latter's line of retreat. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Arcole

1839:

Giuseppe Verdi's first opera Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio, was first performed at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberto_(opera)

1905:

Influenced by the result of the Russo-Japanese War, the Empire of Japan and the Korean Empire signed the Eulsa Treaty, effectively depriving Korea of its diplomatic sovereignty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan%E2%80%93Korea_Treaty_of_1905

1993:

General Sani Abacha ousted Ernest Shonekan to become chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sani_Abacha

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

roots-rock: (music) A genre of popular rock music influenced by Americana and roots music. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/roots-rock

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Those who, by the essence of their belief, are committed to Direct Action only are — just who? Why, the non-resistants; precisely those who do not believe in violence at all! Now do not make the mistake of inferring that I say direct action means non-resistance; not by any means. Direct action may be the extreme of violence, or it may be as peaceful as the waters of the Brook of Siloa that go softly. What I say is, that the real non-resistants can believe in direct action only, never in political action. For the basis of all political action is coercion; even when the State does good things, it finally rests on a club, a gun, or a prison, for its power to carry them through.   --Voltairine de Cleyre https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Voltairine_de_Cleyre