ZEBRAS AND QUAGGAS 209 



bands on the rump of the latter can be seen at a 

 great distance. The zebra [i.e. bontequagga] is 

 purely a beast of the open plains ; it never seeks to 

 conceal itself, but trusts always to seeing its foes. 

 When under or among thin-leaved, scattered 

 thorn-trees it is still usually conspicuous ; although 

 now and then a peculiar light and shadow effect 

 may conceal it." 



After quoting evidence from Captain Stigand ^ 

 to much the same effect, Mr. Roosevelt proceeds 

 to express his disbelief in the protective value of 

 the white bellies of kiangs, onagers, and wild asses ; 

 attributing this to some general cause, like that 

 which has led to the under surface of the leaves of 

 so many plants being lighter coloured than the 

 upper ones. 



The "personal equation" has, of course, some- 

 thing to do with the difference of opinion on these 

 facts ; but whatever may be the real truth with 

 regard to some of the disputed points, it is certain 

 that when a zebra enters covert, it becomes, owing 

 to its colouring, indistinguishable. 



In 1899 a zebra or bontequagga inhabiting the 

 mountainous country opposite Teti, on the north 

 bank of the lower part of the Zambesi, was de- 

 scribed as a distinct species by Messrs. Prazak and 

 Trouessart in the Bulletin dii Musdum d'Histoire 

 Naturelle, Paris, vol. v. p. 350, SisEquusfoai. From 



^ The Came of British East Africa, London, 1909. 



O 



