176 NATURE AND SPORT IN SOUTH AFRICA 



than the mules. They never kick, and the only 

 thing in the shape of vice which they manifest is 

 that, when first handled, they have an inclination 

 to bite ; but as soon as they understand there is no 

 intention to hurt them they give it up." 



This extremely interesting experiment was followed 

 up, and during the autumn of 1893 sixteen more 

 young Burch ell's zebras were brought in from the 

 interior by Dutch hunters. They seemed to have 

 become perfectly tame by the time they reached 

 Zoutpansberg, North Transvaal, and were forthwith 

 broken to harness or saddle. I regret to say that 

 the subsequent career of these tamed zebras was 

 not a success. It was found, after all, that they 

 were not fitted for prolonged coach or mail-cart 

 work. They were more trouble than horses and 

 mules, and the same amount of work could not be 

 got from them. After a time, therefore, the ex- 

 periment was abandoned. Those put under saddle 

 and bridle proved equally disappointing. 



On the other hand, it is interesting to note that 

 the Hon. Walter Rothschild has a team of Burchell's 

 zebras now in use in England. They are well 

 broken, and are often to be seen in harness at Tring 

 Park, Hertfordshire, as well as in London. Herr 

 Wolff, too, has been very successful in breaking and 

 training four of these zebras, which were exhibited 

 during the winter of 1895-96, in the circus at 



