84 Zebras. 



species is extinct or practically so, while the other 

 has been driven much further afield, and its num- 

 bers are yearly being reduced. This author's de- 

 scription of the common zebra is well worth re- 

 peating. He says : " Seeking the wildest and 

 most sequestered spots, the haughty troops are 

 exceedingly difficult to approach, as well on 

 account of their watchful habits and extreme 

 agility and fleetness of foot as from the abrupt 

 and inaccessible nature of their highland abode. 

 Under the special charge of a sentinel, so posted 

 on some adjacent crag as to command a view of 

 every avenue of approach, the chequered herd 

 whom ' painted skins adorn/ is to be viewed 

 perambulating some rocky ledge, on which the 

 rifle ball alone can reach them. No sooner has 

 the note of alarm been sounded by the vedette, 

 than, pricking their long ears, the whole flock 

 hurry forward to ascertain the nature of the ap- 

 proaching danger, and, having gazed a moment 

 at the advancing hunter, whisking their brindled 

 tails aloft, helter-skelter away they thunder, down 

 craggy precipices and over yawning ravines, 

 where no less agile foot could dare to follow 

 them." While of BurchelPs zebra he says : 

 "" Fierce, strong, fleet, and surpassingly beautiful, 

 there is, perhaps, no quadruped in the creation, 

 not even excepting the mountain zebra, more 

 splendidly attired, or presenting a picture of more 

 singularly attractive beauty." 



Zebras are by no means amiable animals, and, 



