Lowell Smith, age 11, of Freeport, Ill., for his question:

HOW TALL IS THE GNU?

'Gnu is the common name of several African antelopes having an oxlike head, curved horns and a long horselike tail. The gnu is also called the wildebeest.

There are two kinds of gnu. The brindled gnu stands about 4 1/2 feet high at the shoulder and has a long, sad looking face. It ranges from yellowish brown to gray in color and has dark vertical stripes on its shoulders and neck. Brindled gnu graze in herds between northern Kenya and northern South Africa and Southwest Africa.

The white tailed gnu is almost extinct. It is about 3 1/2 feet high at the shoulder and has a fierce looking, hairy face. It ranges in color from brown to black and has a yellowish white tail.

Both sexes of both species have broad, smooth horns that curve downward, outward and then upward.

Single males defend territories and court females crossing their land. Males without territories form loose bachelor herds. In dry seasons the whole population migrates in huge congregations.