730 THE ZEBRA. 
across the shoulders, nor are their young marked with zebra-like stripes, as is the case with 
the young Dziggetai. 
It is a swift and wary animal, fleeing in terror before the hunter, and yet stopping at 
intervals to gaze on the object of its alarm. Unless the hunter is very sure of his aim, 
he will not risk a shot, for the animals are so terrified by the report and the flash that 
they forget their curiosity in their fear, and gallop away at the best of their speed, which 
soon carries them out of danger. It is capable of domestication, and can be put in 
training like a horse or a domestic ass. 
Arrica produces some most beautiful examples of the Wild Asses, equalling the 
Asiatic species in speed and beauty of form, and far surpassing them in richness of colour 
and boldness of marking. 
The QuaGcaA looks at first sight like a cross between the common wild ass and the 
zebra, as it only partially possesses the characteristic zebra-stripes, and is decorated 
merely upon the hind and fore-parts of the body. The streaks are not so deep as they 
are in the zebra, and the remainder of the body is brown, with the exception of the 
abdomen, legs, and part of the tail, which are whitish-grey. The Quagga lives in large 
herds, and is much persecuted by the natives of Southern Africa, who pursue it for the 
sake of its skin and its flesh, both of which are in high estimation. 
A NEARER approach to the true zebra is seen in the animal which is indifferently termed 
the Dauw, the PrEcat, or BurCHELL’S ZEBRA. This species is an inhabitant of Southern 
Africa, where it is found in large herds south of the Orange River. Unlike the wild ass 
of Asia, the Dauw keeps aloof from the rocky and hilly districts, and is only found on the 
plains, where it wanders in company with ostriches, various antelopes, and other strange 
comrades. The general appearance of this species bears a considerable resemblance to 
that of the zebra, from which animal it may be immediately distinguished by the colour, 
number, and extent of the dark stripes and bands. In the Dauw, the stripes are not so 
black as in the zebra, and instead of covering the entire body and limbs, they only extend 
over the head, neck, body, and the upper portions of the legs. The general colour of the 
furis a pale-brown, becoming greyish-white upon the abdomen and inner faces of the limbs. 
Like many other gregarious animals of Southern Africa, the Dauw is found to make 
periodical migrations, for the purpose of supporting itself with the food that has failed im 
its original district. In times of scarcity the Dauw, together with several species of 
antelope, visits the cultivated lands, and makes sad havoc among the growing crops. 
When rain has fallen, and the forsaken districts have regained their fertility, the Dauw 
leaves the scene of its plunder, and returns to its ancient pasturage. 
The Dauw is capable of a partial domestication, and can be tamed to a considerable 
extent. It is, however, considered as possessing a tetchy and uncertain temper, and is of 
too obstinate a disposition to be of much use to man. By the Matabili and Bechuana 
Kaffirs it is called Peet-sey, and the Dutch colonists have given it the name of Bonte- 
quagga. 
AmonG all the species of the Ass tribe, the ZEBRA is by far the most conspicuous and 
the most beautiful. 
The general colour of the Zebra is a ereamy white, marked regularly with velvety 
black stripes that cover the entire head, neck, body, and limbs, and extend down to the 
very feet. It is worthy of note, that the stripes are drawn nearly at right angles to the 
part of the body on which they occur, so that the stripes of the legs are horizontal, while 
those of the body are vertical. The abdomen and inside faces of the thighs are cream- 
white, and the end of the tail is nearly black. This arrangement of colouring is strangely 
similar to that of the tiger, and has earned for the animal the name of “ Hippotigris,” or 
Horse-tiger, among some zoologists, ancient and modern, The skin of the neck 1s developed 
into a kind of dewlap, and the tail is sparingly covered with coarse black hair. By the 
Cape colonists it is called “ Wilde Paard,” or Wild Horse. 
At the best of times the flesh of the Zebra is not very inviting, being rather tough, 
