-* Stalking Expeditions in the Xyika 



Oscar Neumann has described them, and named them 

 Oreotragus sch i Hi ngsi. 



These dwarf antelopes live in little parties of from six 

 to eight, and also in pairs, both on the rugged mountain- 

 slopes and sometimes in the caves of the high desert, and 

 anywhere that heaps of rocks and stones, and even lava 

 blocks, make suitable country for them. 



In Abyssinia klipspringers have been found at elevations 

 of 10,000 ft. How high they climb in the East African 

 mountain-chain I cannot say ; but wherever rugged heights 

 are interrupted by steep valleys, and wherever a meagre 

 thorny flora grows amid rocks and stones, there is the 

 home of the klipspringer. Like india-rubber balls, 

 apparently flying rather than springing, the graceful 

 creatures move from rock to rock, now stopping still for 

 some time with closely -gathered limbs, anon disappearing 

 like shadows into their mountain strongholds with a clear 

 whistle of warning, soon to emerge again on a fresh post 

 of observation, to watch the disturber of their mountain 

 peace. By a curious chapter of accidents my photographs 

 of these lovely animals were all damaged except a few 

 which may serve to give some idea ot the pretty creatures. 



To-day the klipspringers are particularly shy, and 

 elude me continually in the dry grass. Only one buck, 

 in its flight from my men mounting up from below, 

 suddenly comes my way, and, while it peers down on 

 me a moment from its rock, gives me the chance of 

 a shot. My bullet hits it at a distance of almost two 

 hundred yards across the valley. I send two trusty 

 carriers back into the camp with the booty ; and there 



