THE IMPALA OR PALLA 



rams are seen amongst them. The young males, 

 as a rule, associate in small parties by themselves. 



During the winter months those of both sexes herd 

 together in a promiscuous manner, but, on the 

 approach of the mating season fierce combats are 

 waged, resulting in the stronger and more virile 

 males securing a harem of from half-a-dozen to 

 twenty or more wives. At these times herds con- 

 sisting of one adult ram and a dozen to two dozen 

 ewes, small herds of immature males, or adult 

 males who have failed to secure mates, may be seen 

 scattered through the bush-veld. 



The Impala inhabits those portions of the low 

 country covered chiefly with dense thorn-bush. 

 Their favourite haunts in the winter months are the 

 forest-clad banks of streams where all their require- 

 ments are at hand, viz. shelter, food and water. 



When surprised in the open, they always head 

 direct for the bush. During the dry season they 

 drink as often as three times daily ; but when the 

 rainy season sets in, and the herbage becomes green, 

 succulent and laden with moisture, both from the 

 rain and the heavy night dews, they wander away 

 from the rivers and forest pools. At the end of the 

 rainy season the food supply becomes more or less 

 restricted to the neighbourhood of streams, and the 

 Impala once again converge to these localities, where 

 they dwell for about five months. 



The Impala graze largely on grass, especially 

 when it is young and tender after the first spring 



87 



