Bushbuck and Reedbuck. 185 



so near the larger rivers. Along the Shire River they 

 are abundant, and in the Luangwa Valley they are very 

 plentiful indeed. 



The skins are prettily marked with spots, and the old 

 males get darker with age. Some of the younger animals 

 are bluish, although the usual colour is a light brown. 



The horns have often white or amber-coloured tips, and 

 are prettily curved. Bushbuck have a bare patch on the 

 throat which looks hairless, though if it is closely examined 

 it will be seen to be covered with very fine short hairs. 

 They abound in hilly country, and prefer fairly thick bush. 

 The best head I had seen was one killed by a leopard near 

 Gwazas, on the Shire River, in Nyasaland, and it measured 

 igjin. on the curve, and was for long the record ; but 

 lately, my friend, Mr. C. H. Timmler, showed me a head of 

 a bushbuck he had bought at Chinde, and, on measuring it, 

 I found that it gave iQfin. on the curve, so it is evidently 

 the record. 



Bushbuck are sporting animals, which usually give the 

 sportsman some trouble to find. At times they bark just 

 like a dog, and they often make this noise when disturbed 

 at close quarters by human beings or carnivorous animals. 

 Their flesh is very good eating. 



REEDBUCK (Cervicapra arundinum), 

 NATIVE NAMES. 



Chinyanja Mpoyo. 



Chingoni ----- Shangu (sometimes Mpoyo). 



Approximate w r eight, $ ... .... I5olb. 



Good average horns, $ I3in. front curve. 



As its name implies, prefers reeds and grass country 

 near water. Fairly common and well distributed, and 

 often seen in small lots up to six or eight, although the 

 usual number is from two to five animals. 



When disturbed, gives a shrill call, which carries for 

 some way and puts other game on the alert ; so it is 



