-* Stalking Expeditions in the Xyika 



Oscar Xeumann has described them, and named them 

 Oreotragits sch i/lingti. 



These dwarf antelopes live in little parties of from six 

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

 slopes and sometimes in the caves ot 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 Hast African 

 mountain-chain I cannot say : but wherever rutted heights 

 are interrupted by steep valleys, and wherever a meagre 

 thorny tlora grows amid rocks and stones, there is the 

 home ot the klipspringer. Like india-rubber balls, 

 apparently living 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 

 ot observation, to watch the disturber ot their mountain 

 peace. I>y a curious chapter ot accidents my photographs 

 ot these lovely animals were all damaged except a tew 

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



I o-day the klipspringers are particularly shy, and 

 elude me continually in the drv grass. ( )nly one buck. 

 in its (light trom my men mounting up !rom below, 

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

 me a moment trom its nick, gives me the chance ot 

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

 hundred yards across the valley. 1 send two tru>ty 

 carners back into the camp with the booty: and there 



60; 



