THE HORSE TRIBE 



193 



the Zambesi all forms of Burchell's zebra seem to have faint markings, known as shadow- 

 stripes, on the pale yellow ground-colour of the spaces between the broad black stripes. 

 North of the Zambesi varieties are met with in which these shadow-stripes are wanting. As, 

 however, the differences between all the various sub-species of Burchell's zebra are superficial 

 and not structural, and as, moreover, the habits of these animals seem to be the same in every 

 part of their widely extended range, I shall henceforth speak of them as one species. 



Burchell's zebra is without the small horizontal bars on the hindquarters, which in the 

 mountain-zebra connect the dorsal stripe with the uppermost of the broad longitudinal bands 

 running across the flanks. Its ears, too, are smaller than in the latter species, and its mane 

 fuller. In size Burchell's zebra is intermediate between the mountain-zebra and Grevy's 

 zebra, standing from thirteen to thirteen and a half hands at the shoulder. 



By firminitn cf Mr. William Crtn 



BURCHELL'S ZEBRA, CHAPMAN'S VARIETY 



Where they have not been shot down, Burchell's zebras often live in large herds of from 

 fifty to over a hundred together. I have met with them almost at the level of the sea, as in 

 the Pungwe district of South-east Africa, and all over the high plateaux of the interior up to 

 a height of 5 000 feet above sea-level. They are partial to sparsely forested country intersected 

 by open glades, but also frequent open plains entirely devoid of trees or bush, having been 

 once numerous on the open downs of the Western Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 

 never live in dense jungle, but I have met with them frequently amongst broken rugged hills 

 Burchell's zebras are both fleet and enduring, but I have often galloped right amongst a her 

 of them when mounted on a fast horse, and in good ground. In broken, hilly, and stony 

 ground, however, no horse can live with a Burchell's zebra. The hoofs of this spec.es seem 

 made for running in rocky ground, being deeply hollowed and as hard as iron. 



I have always found the presence of Burchell's zebras a sure indication that water was i 



25 



