THE SPRING-BOK. 621 



they have been always observed to depart as soon as the district in 

 which they live has been deprived of water, and to return as soon as the 

 genial rains have returned moisture to the earth, and caused the green 

 herbage to make its appearance. Dr. Livingstone, however, doubts 

 whether the Spring-bok is a sufficiently thirsty animal to be driven 

 into these migrations only by want of water, and thinks that there must 

 be other causes also at work. 



They are extremely fond of the short tender grass as it springs from 

 the earth, and the Bakalahari Kaffirs, taking advantage of this predilec- 

 tion, are in the habit of burning large patches of dry stubbly herbage for 

 the sake of attracting the Spring-boks, who are sure to find out the 

 locality, and to come and feed upon the short sweet grass that always 

 makes its appearance on the site of burnt vegetation. Spring-boks are 

 very seldom seen in the deep, rank grass that is so plentiful in their 

 native country, for they would not be able to raise their head above the 

 tall blades, and to perceive the lion, leopard, or other enemy that might 

 be crawling toward them under its shelter. 



While engaged in these pilgrimages, the Spring-bok suffers sadly 

 from many foes, man included, who thin their numbers along the whole 

 line of march. V^arious beasts of prey, such as lions, leopards, hyaenas, 

 and jackals, hang around the skirts of the herd, and are always ready 

 either to dash boldly among the moving mass and to drag out some un- 

 fortunate animal which may happen to take their fancy, or to prowl in 

 a crafty manner about the rear of the troop, in hopes of snapping up the 

 weakly or wounded animals as they fall out of the ranks. The black 

 and white inhabitants of Southern Africa also take advantage of the pil- 

 grimages, and with guns and spears, which may be used almost indis- 

 criminately among such multitudes of animals, without any particular 

 necessity for a careful aim, destroy myriads of the Spring-boks, and load 

 themselves with an ample supply of hides and meat. 



There is a curious provision of nature for preserving the herds in 

 proper condition. It is evident that as the animals move in a compact 

 mass, the leaders will eat all the pasture, and those in the rear will find 

 nothing but the bare ground, cut to pieces by the hoofs of their prede- 

 cessors. The rearward animals would therefore soon perish by starva- 

 tion, did not matters arrange themselves in a rather remarkable manner. 

 The leading Spring-boks, having the choice of the best pasture, soon 

 become so satiated and overloaded with food, that they are unable to 



