RED DUIKER 149 



THE RED DUIKER 



(CephalopJius natalensis} 



Root Bosch-bokje, CAPE DUTCH ; Mkumbi, ZULU ; Msumbi, SWAZI 

 AND MATONGA ; Isikupu, BASUTO ; Chisimbi, LOWER ZAMBESI 



(PLATE vi, fig. 2) 



This species, of which the bucks stand from about I 8 to 19 inches 

 at the shoulder, and weigh from 26 to 28 lb., typifies a subgroup 

 characterised by the predominance of red in the colouring. In the 

 present species the colour is wholly bright rufous bay, or chestnut, 

 with the throat, inner sides of limbs, and under -parts brownish 

 yellow, and the tail, which is slender, rufous at the base, and brown 

 tipped with white at the extremity. The ears are short and rounded ; 

 and the tuft on the crown of the head is longer than in the duikerbok, 

 nearly concealing the short horns, of which the maximum length is 

 3 1- inches. With rare exceptions, the females are horned. 



The uniform colour of the head, body, and limbs serves to 

 distinguish this species, which is often known as the Natal duiker, from 

 all its relatives. These elegant little antelopes inhabit the wooded 

 districts of Natal, Zululand, Swaziland, the Transvaal, and Mashona- 

 land, and also extend along the east coast into Mozambique. The 

 Portuguese East African form has been separated by Dr. E. Trouessart 

 (Bull. Mus. Paris, 1906, p. 445) as CephalopJius natalensis vassei (see 

 p. 153). In habits they closely resemble the other bush-dwelling 

 members of the genus, and seldom leave covert except at early 

 morning and evening to feed. As a rule, they associate in pairs, 

 although it is by no means uncommon to see small parties of five or 

 six feeding in company. 



Their food consists chiefly of the leaves and young shoots of shrubs, 

 together with berries and other fruits, and they but seldom graze. In 

 summer they drink twice daily, but in winter a draught once a day 

 is stated to meet their requirements. Their cry, which is seldom 

 uttered, is a shrill whistle. The young are lighter in colour than their 

 parents, and are born in October and November. 



The flesh is superior in quality to that of the duikerbok, and is 

 in best condition during December and January. If stalked in covert 

 in early morning before they settle down to rest for the day, these 



