^4 A PROFITABLE HUNTING TRIP. 



- When first started, the ourebi pursues over the ground a 

 course somewhat similar to that which a snipe follows in the an-. It 

 dodees from side to side, leaps and rushes through the grass or over 

 the plain with a lightning-like speed, and almost before the hunter 

 can get his gun ready, the ourebi is scudding away at a distance ot 



a hundred yards or so. ,,111 



'' Some hunters shoot this animal with buck-shot, and by walk- 

 ino- through the long grass, and coming suddenly upon the creature 

 in^'its lair, they pepper it with shot before it has time to get out o 

 rano-e I tried this system for several days, but at length found 

 that" better and neater execution might be had by usmg a bullet 

 instead of shot. As, moreover, the grass was in many places five 

 feet in height, it would have prevented me from seemg the animals 

 as they rushed oiT, whereas, from the back of my horse, I could look 

 down upon the ourebis as they moved out of their lairs. 



THE OUREBI AN EASY PREY. 



" The ourebi does not carry off so heavy a charge of shot as 

 the duyker or the reitbok, and if wounded by a bullet, the hunter is 

 certain to secure his prize, provided that he watches the animal with 

 care When badly hit, they will frequently retire into long grass, 

 and crouching low, will hide themselves from the casual observer. 

 They will then creep away for several yards, and lie down behind a 

 stone, ant-hill, or some similar cover. _ 



" When the hunter passes and overlooks them, they will jump 

 up and retreat as soon as his back is turned. Taking advantage of 

 this practice, I always avoid looking directly at an ourebi if I see it 

 Iving on the plain, and after taking ' bearings ' of its position, I 

 r'ide round the prostrate animal in circles, gradually drawing nearer 

 and nearer, until it can be easily shot." 



The ourebi stand about two feet in height at the shoulder, and 

 is about four feet in length. The horns of the full-grown male are 

 about five inches long, straight, and pointed, and covered with bold 

 rings at the base. The color of the ourebi is pale tawny above, and 

 white below. The female is hornless. 



