NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



selousi) is found in the swamps between Lake Ngami 

 and the Chobe, as well as along its marshy and 

 reed-covered banks. 



Beyond the Zambesi, the typical form or kind 

 {Tragelaphus spekci) and two sub-species or local 

 races occur {Tragelaphus spekci grains and Trage- 

 laphus spekei alhonotatus). The range of the typical 

 species is from the South-Central and Central 

 portions of Africa, eastwards. The range of T. 

 spekei gratus is Western Equatorial Africa. The 

 range of T. spekei albonotatus is unknown (possibly 

 Angola or Upper Guinea). 



The hoofs of the Situtunga are greatly elongated, 

 and are, in consequence, specially serviceable for 

 a life in the swamps, for this animal leads what may 

 be termed a semi-aquatic life. It is, in fact, the 

 most aquatic of all the antelope tribe. 



Living in small family parties or pairs, the Situ- 

 tunga passes the daylight hours concealed in the 

 reeds and papyrus ; and the hours of darkness in 

 feeding upon the young shoots. On solid, hard 

 ground it is awkward and slow like a duck out of 

 water, but in its marshy haunts it can progress 

 with ease, swiftness and safety over the matted 

 vegetation and through the water. It is sometimes 

 driven from its hiding-places in the great swamps 

 by firing the dead reeds after a long spell of dry 

 weather. As the fire approaches, the Situtunga 

 retreats over and through the marsh, often with 

 a tremendous amount of splashing. During the 



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