-* Stalking Expeditions in the Nyika 



Oscar Neumann has described them, and named them 

 Oreotragus sch illingsi. 



These dwarf antelopes live in little parties of from six 

 to eight, and also in pairs, both on the rugged mountain- 

 slopes and sometimes in the caves of the high desert, and 

 anywhere that heaps of rocks and stones, and even lava 

 blocks, make suitable country for them. 



In Abyssinia klipspringers have been found at elevations 



of 10,000 ft. How high they climb in the East African 



mountain-chain I cannot say ; but wherever rugged heights 



are interrupted by steep valleys, and wherever a meagre 



thorny flora grows amid rocks and stones, there is the 



home of the klipspringer. Like india-rubber balls, 



apparently flying rather than springing, the graceful 



creatures move from rock to rock, now stopping stifl for 



some time with closely -gathered limbs, anon disappearing 



like shadows into their mountain strongholds with a clear 



whistle of warning, soon to enierge again on a tresh post 



of observation, to watch the disturber ot their mountain 



peace. By a curious chapter of accidents my photographs 



of these lovely animals were all damaged except a few 



which may serve to give some idea ot the pretty creatures. 



To-day the klipspringers are particularly shy, and 



elude me continually in the dry grass. Only one buck, 



in its flight from my men mounting up Irom below, 



suddenly comes my way, and, while it peers down on 



me a moment from its rock, gives me the chance of 



a shot. My bullet hits it at a distance of almost two 



hundred yards across the valley. I send two trusty 



carriers back into the camp with the booty ; and there 



60:; 



