298 KLOOF AND KARROO. 



The Rooi or Red Rhebok (Eleotragus reduncus) 

 is also fairly plentiful, especially in the mountains 

 of the Eastern and Midland provinces. It resembles 

 the vaal rhebok almost exactly, save in its colour, 

 which is of a bright red brown. It chooses for its 

 haunts the lower parts of the mountains, where 

 the " rooi " grass is abundant, and where its own 

 colour harmonises almost exactly with its pasture. 

 The vaal rhebok, as I have mentioned, is found 

 higher upon the mountains, where the " zuur 

 veldt " is of a greyish colour, assimilating with 

 its own coat. There is a very curious circumstance 

 in connection with these two antelopes, which 

 I think has not been previously remarked by 

 naturalists. 



In some localities, where the "zuur veldt" 

 clothes the upper parts of the mountains, and the 

 " rooi " grass the lower portions, the vaal and rooi 

 rhebok may be found on the same mountain-side, 

 but each adhering rigidly to its own peculiar 

 pasturage. When the hunters come upon the 

 ground to shoot, the rooi rhebok immediately fly 

 from their lower slopes to the higher ground of 

 their grey brethren, and the two species are seen 

 galloping in close company over the mountain 

 heights. If the hunter rests quietly after his shot 

 and looks about him, he will presently see the two 

 kinds of antelope, as soon as they think they may 

 safely do so, separating, the rooi rhebok quitting the 

 "vaal" pastures, and betaking themselves again to 

 their own feeding grounds. To this habit they 

 invariably adhere, and will not delay their departure 

 an instant longer than their safety admits of. If 

 the vaal rhebok in turn are driven out of their own 



