THE FLESH-EATERS 43 



animals when running over an open grass plain ; it 

 is peculiarly smooth, sweeping, and swift the very 

 perfection of animal motion. A mounted sportsman, 

 except perhaps in very open country, where a long 

 run could be assured, has no chance at all with them. 

 Most usually cheetahs hunt in pairs, but larger troops 

 of four or five, probably family parties before they 

 have broken up by pairing, are sometimes seen. These 

 animals prey on small antelopes, seizing their quarry 

 by the throat and never relaxing their grip till the 

 prey is dead. Near kraals and farmhouses they kill 

 and devour sheep, goats, and even calves. Hares and 

 the larger game-birds are also devoured by them, 

 and they do not disdain an occasional young ostrich. 

 The springbok is a very favourite booty, and cheetahs 

 have no great difficulty in stalking and running 

 down these most fleet and watchful antelopes. 



Cheetahs are not often shot ; when encountered 

 they may be easily secured by an expanding bullet 

 from any small-bore rifle such as the .256 or .303. 

 In South Africa they seem to me to be most abundant 

 in Bechuanaland and on the borders of the Kalahari 

 Desert. Here the natives snare them mostly, but an 

 occasional cheetah is run into with dogs, while jackal 

 hunting, and clubbed or speared. A kaross or cloak 

 of a dozen or sixteen skins of these animals, beauti- 

 fully sewn with fine sinew by natives, forms an ex- 

 ceedingly handsome rug, and the Bechuanas, even 

 far up country, obtain big prices for them from ten 

 to twelve pounds. Cheetahs are easily tamed, and 

 the cubs make gentle and very entertaining pets. 



