890 THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



found in herds, which may comprise hundreds or even thousands of individuals, 

 but more usually number from ten to thirty, or even fifty does, accompanied 

 by a single old buck. Mr. Blanford states that frequently ' ' two or three 

 younger bucks, colored like the does, remain with the latter, but these young 

 males are sometimes driven away by older bucks, and form separate herds. 

 This antelope never enters forest nor high grass, and is but rarely seen among 

 bushes. When not much pursued or fired at, it will often allow men to come 

 in the open within about one hundred and fifty yards, sometimes nearer." 

 Carts and natives can approach still closer. The black buck feeds at all hours, al- 

 though it generally rests during the middle of the day. In certain districts, where 

 there is no fresh water except in deep wells, it is certain that these animals never 

 drink; but several observers have proved that in other places they, at least occasion- 

 ally, drink freely. lyike the springbok, the black buck frequently leaps high in the 

 air when running. The speed and endurance of these animals are well known, and 

 it is but very seldom that they are pulled down on good ground by greyhounds. In 

 heavy sand, or on soft ground during the rains, they are, however, easily overtaken 

 by good dogs, and wounded buck may be ridden down. An account of black buck 

 coursing with the hunting-leopard will be found on p. 449 in the first volume; and 

 antelope stalking is a favorite Indian sport. 



Young fawns are generally concealed by the does in long grass. The bucks ut- 

 ter a short grunt, and the does a kind of a hissing sound when alarmed. During 

 the pairing season the bucks engage in frequent combats among themselves. When 

 taken young, the black buck can be easily tamed, but the males are apt to be dan- 

 gerous at certain seasons. 



THE RIETBOC 

 Genus Cervicapra 



The rietboc, or reedbuck {Cervicapra arundineum), introduces us to a totally 

 different group of large or small antelopes confined to Africa. These animals have 

 horns only in the males, narrow, goat-like, upper molar teeth, and either a hairy or 

 a naked muzzle. There is generally a gland below the eye, which may, however, 

 be very small, and the skull usually has a large unossified space below the eye, and 

 distinct pits in the forehead. The horns may be either large, lyrate, widely spread- 

 ing, and thickly ringed, or small and upright. The tail is either of medium length, 

 or very short. 



The rietboc is characterized by its comparatively-small horns, which bend for- 

 ward somewhat after the manner of those of Clarke's antelope. The tail is bushy 

 and comparatively short, not reaching to within some distance of the hocks, and the 

 lateral hoofs are very small. In height this antelope stands nearly three feet, and 

 the short, smooth, and almost woolly fur is of a pale brownish fawn on the upper 

 parts, with a tinge of orange on the head; the under parts and inner sides of the 

 limbs being dirty white. Very old does become much paler, in fact almost white. 

 The ordinary length of the horns is from twelve to thirteen inches along the curves, 

 although they occasionally reach fifteen or sixteen inches. 



