REEDBUCK 225 



improbably represent a grey phase, such as is not uncommon among 

 hares in East Anglia, this phase being perhaps confined to the members 

 of a single family. 



The following sporting account of the reedbuck in south-eastern 

 Africa is from the pen of Mr. Vaughan Kirby : — 



" At one time these antelopes were numerous in Natal, Zululand, 

 and Bechuanaland, but there are now few remaining in these countries. 

 In the Transvaal and Swaziland they were exceedingly numerous in 

 certain localities, but their numbers have appreciably diminished, 

 particularly in districts that have become populated. They are still 

 common in Amatongaland, Gazaland, in Portuguese East Africa, along 

 the Zambesi and Chobi rivers, and in Ngamiland. Wherever I have 

 met with reedbuck in the Mozambique province, in southern Nyasa- 

 land, and Portuguese Zambesia, it has appeared to me a far lighter- 

 built animal, with a maximum weight of iio to 120 lb. Reedbuck 

 are chiefly found in open rolling grass-country on the mountain 

 plateaus, where water is abundant, and in reedy valleys and thin open 

 forest throughout the ' low country,' but never far from water. As 

 their name implies, they are partial to dense reed-beds, but quite as 

 frequently lie-up in long grass-covert on the high ridges, or in cool 

 spots in thin forest ; they invariably lie in dry places, even if near 

 water. They often lie very closely, and when disturbed rush out with 

 great speed, seldom or never whistling, but going off at once with long 

 easy bounds, presenting each flank alternately to the sportsman, and 

 thus offering a none too easy shot. If disturbed at a little distance, 

 they whistle sharply and go off deliberately, raising and lowering 

 their ' flags ' in a characteristic manner, and usually standing at about 

 120 to 150 yards to look back at the cause of the alarm ; then, 

 whistling again, they once more bound off, frequently repeating 

 these manoeuvres if not fired at. The ewes are less inclined to 

 stand than the rams, and can run with great speed and endurance. 

 At night reedbuck often play around a camp for hours, whistling 

 constantly. Though little family parties of four or five are not 

 unfrequently seen, they usually associate in pairs ; but I have seen 

 ten or twelve feeding together on a patch of green sprouting grass. 

 They are solely grass-feeders, and their flesh is second in flavour 

 only to that of the bushbuck, many persons considering it superior 

 to that of all other small game. It has been said that these antelopes 

 are shy and retiring, but my experience is the very reverse ; the 

 surest places in which to look for them being the patches of covert in 

 the vicinity of native kraals, especially amongst the luxuriant weed- 



Q 



