221 



THE KLIP SPRINGER 



Oreotragus saltatrix. 

 PLATE XXX. 



Klip Springer, Daniett't African Scenery. A. oreotragua, 

 Smith. 



THIS animal delights in the most precipitous 

 rocks and precipices, where man or dog can scarcely 

 follow. They are said to delight in perching upon 

 the highest pinnacles ; and in their general character 

 have more of the hahits of the ibex or goats than 

 of the antelope. It is an animal of about twenty-two 

 inches in height. The colour of Daniell's figure is o* 

 a yellowish-grey, and Major Smith describes the hair 

 as of three colours, ashy at the root, brown in the 

 middle, and yellow at the point, producing the singu- 

 lar effect of a lively olive-green. The hair itself is 

 hard, flat, spiral, flexible, and erect upon the skin, and 

 forms a natural elastic pad to protect the body from 

 bruise^ The horns are about five inches in length, 

 pointed and black, and anulated at the base. They 

 are wanting in the female. Klip Springers were for- 

 merly abundant in the colony of Cape, but have lately 

 much decreased, the venison being in high reputation, 

 and the hair being much sought after to stuff saddles. 



