306 RECORDS OF BIG GAME 



lesser bushbuck is the smallest and at the same time the most widely 

 spread member of the group, having several local races. The height 

 at the shoulder ranges from 2^ to 3 feet, and the weight from 100 Ibs. 

 to 170 Ibs. In the Abyssinian race (T. scriptus decti/a), which ranges 

 into the dense forests bordering the Webbe River in Somaliland, and is 

 locally known as dol, the build is low and stout, and the general colour 

 yellowish, the light stripes being nearly obsolete. The Nile T. scriptus 

 bor is allied. In the West African race (T. scriptus tj'J>icus),from West, 

 Central, and South-Central Africa, the ground-colour is bright rufous, 

 and the spots and stripes are very conspicuous. On the other hand, 

 in the East African race (T. scriptns roualeynt) the bucks are dark 

 brown, with only faint indications of white markings. Finally, in the 

 Cape form (7". scriptus sylvaticus} the colour is dark brown without 

 transverse white stripes, and the spots are reduced to a few indistinct 

 ones on the haunches. 



In the southern districts of Cape Colony bushbuck are still to be 

 found in abundance, even in the neighbourhood of large towns like Port 

 Elizabeth. Recourse is, however, had to preserving for the greater part 

 of the year, by which means the well-known Easter Hunts, when 

 driving is practised and large bags are made, are still kept up. In 

 more inland districts either the does or both sexes are periodically 

 protected. A wounded bushbuck will often make a desperate and 

 dangerous charge. 



The following specimens belong to the Cape form (Tragdaphus 

 scriptus sylvaticus] : 



Length on Circum- Tip to T _]:,._ 



front curve, ference. Tip. 



igf 6J 4^ Upper Shire River . . Hon. Walter Rothschild. ( See 



illustration.) 



-19$ 6i 7i Natal . . . . C. S. Mann. 



~ l 9is 52 '* Lower Zambesia . . Surgeon W. 11. S. Stalkartt, K.N. 



19 5| 32 B.C. Africa . . . J. E. S. Old. 



iS^ 6 Sjj Pungwe . . . . P. II. Illingworth. 



l8J 5i 8| B.C. Africa . . . J. S. Bell. 



17! 5$ 4! Zululand .... Julius Jeppe. 



iyi 6-i 7| Mount Zomba, B.C.A. . D. MacAlpine. 



-I7i 5$ lof Limpopo River . . Grahamstown Museum. 



- Owner's measurements. 



