THE SNAKE MUISHOND 



started up and scattered. My master hastily 

 climbed up into the wagon and yelled at us to 

 Voert-z-ik^ which means to ' clear out ' or go away. 

 My chum and I had to eat our meals by ourselves 

 for a week or more after that. In addition we 

 had to sleep out in the cold at night, because the 

 Kafirs refused to let us creep in under the tar- 

 paulin-covered wagon where they slept at night." 



THE SNAKE MUISHOND 



(Pcecilogale albinucha) 

 Also known as the Slang Muishond or Snake Weasel 



This muishond has the true shape of the typical 

 weasel. It inhabits the eastern parts of South 

 Africa, and extends from the Cape Province through 

 Natal and north to Angola and Nyasaland. It 

 forms burrows out in the bush-veld and hillsides. 

 Its habits are, in general, similar to those of the 

 Striped Muishond, but it is more secretive in 

 disposition, and avoids the vicinity of man. It 

 will track down animals as large as a hare, and once 

 it obtains a grip on its victim it will not let go. A 

 hunter related to me how he once saw a large bird 

 of prey drop into the grass, and next instant 

 soared away, gripping some creature, which seemed 

 to be struggling desperately in its powerful talons. 

 When high up in the air the bird seemed to be in 

 difficulties. A fight, apparently, was taking place 

 VOL. II 177 12 



