SPOTTED AND STRIPED MAMMALS 47 



It will, however, be preferable to let Mr. F. C. Selous 1 speak 

 upon the question of spotting and striping in the Antelopes of 

 Africa. It would appear that not only age, but the climate and 

 food of a locality, may have a good deal to do with the changes 

 in the markings of the skin. 



Of the Bushbuck ( Tragelaphus sylvaticus, Sparrm.) he says : 

 * In the Cape Colony, the adult male is deep dark brownish-black, 

 with two or three small white spots On the haunch, and one 

 pr two on the shoulder ; the adult female is light reddish-brown, 

 with white spots on the haunches, and sometimes a feW between 

 the shoulders and flank ; the young males are reddish-brown, and 

 more or less spotted. 



1 On the Limpopo, however,: the adult males are >r6wnish-grey, 

 often without a sign of any spots ; and the young females are 

 more spotted than old ones. The \adult females are of a dark 

 red, with a few white spots; the young males" are a good deal 

 spotted, with a few transverse stripes. 



'On the tributaries of the Zambesi, east of the Victoria' Falls, 

 the male Bushbucks are of the same colour as the young males 

 found on the Limpopo, being dark red thickly spotted oil the 

 haunches, shoulders, and sides, with small white spots, and with 

 three or four faint white stripes down each side. The adult 

 female is pale yellowish red, beautifully spotted, and with a few 

 white stripes.' 



Then of the Bushbucks on the Chobe Mr. Selous says : ' The 



.adult males are of a very dark red colour, most beautifully spotted 



with large white spots, as many as fifty on each side in some 



Individuals, and in some cases as many as eight well-defined 



.stripes. In addition, they have a mane of white hair three 



inches long, from shoulder to tail, which can be erected. Young 



1 A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa, p. 209. 



