THE BROWN HY^NA 47 



The brown hyaena still occurs near Grahamstown, 

 in the Fish River Bush. This is an immense tract 

 covered all over with scrub on hill and valley alike, 

 yet in spite of its vegetation singularly destitute of 

 water. Silent and sombre in spite of its green 

 appearance, it is intersected in places by deep 

 ravines ; stunted aloes bristle on the summits of the 

 kopjes, and the great candelabra euphorbias bedeck 

 the sides of the kloofs. The lilac flowers of the 

 speckboom and the white blossoms of the jasmine 

 add a touch of variety to the monotonous scene ; 

 after the spring rains also amaryllis and narcissus 

 shqot up in the arid valleys. The yellow flowers of 

 the prickly pear attract the lovely sunbirds, shim- 

 mering in rainbow hues ; green and yellow weaver 

 birds play among the branches of the river willows ; 

 golden cuckoos and hoopoes call from the depths of 

 the thickets. Kudu and bush buck, jackal and 

 warthog inhabit the Fish River Bush ; in the moon- 

 light the spring haas or leaping hare may be seen 

 browsing on the scrub, while the shy antbear forages 

 for its meal of termites. Leopard and serval, caracal 

 and wild dog range the bush for their prey ; here 

 also the strandwolf, once the tyrant of the colonial 

 farmers, finds tardy refuge from extermination. 1 



1. The spoiled hysenas inhabiting this district are sometimes taken 

 alive in wooden traps ten or fifteen feet square and baited at the end 

 opposite the door, which falls on the bait being loosened. It is said that 

 a farmer, having attacked a hyaena which had broken into his sheep 

 kraal, was badly wounded by the animal, and would probably have been 

 killed outright but for the arrival of help. Strychnine is also used in 

 destroying the hyjenas. 



