146 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



Bush and rocks seem to be regarded equally as natural 

 refuges, and in following up individuals I never could 

 discover a preference for one over the other. 



Both in appearance and habits the animal is so essen- 

 tially unlike the steenbuck, that were it not for the im- 

 portant structural difference in the matter of false hoofs, 

 it would appear far more nearly akin to the grysbuck. In 

 fact its usual name in the Transvaal is " grysbuck " or 

 " grys steenbok." 



THE GRYSBUCK. The range of this not very common 

 species is confined to some of the coast and low-lying 

 districts of the Cape Colony, its most northerly recorded 

 home being Port St. John's in Pondoland. Writers who 

 mention its being numerous in the eastern Transvaal 

 have confused it with Sharpe's steenbuck. It certainly 

 bears rather a strong superficial resemblance to the latter 

 animal, which having been described as a distinct species 

 only comparatively recently, renders the mistake of the 

 ordinary hunters not very surprising. 



The form of the grysbuck is stouter than that of the 

 steenbuck. The hair is long and coarse, with a number 

 of white hairs mixed with the red ones, giving the animal 

 a grizzled appearance. The under parts of the body, 

 chin, throat, and eyebrows are paler. Ears are large and 

 dark grey in colour. There is often a dark T-shaped mark 

 on the crown. Horns are stouter, and rather more 

 curved forwards than those of the steenbuck. False hoofs 

 are present, though small. 



The grysbuck prefers a good deal of covert, and is 

 generally found in rather hilly districts. It moves with 

 its head carried low, and instead of bounding away when 

 disturbed after the manner of the steenbuck, it seems 

 rather to "scuttle " : its pace is not very great, and it 

 makes for the shelter of the bush when seeking safety. 



