THE KLIPSPRINGER 



feed upon the scanty herbage which struggles for 

 existence in their rocky retreats. When this is 

 insufficient for their needs, they descend during 

 the evening to the foot of their rocky fastnesses to 

 feed upon the vegetation on the slopes and to slake 

 their thirst. 



Klipspringers often inhabit rocky hills and kops 

 many miles from water, and in these situations the 

 dew-laden herbage serves them as both food and 

 drink. When showers fall, water usually collects 

 in hollows and crannies in the rocks, and these supply 

 the Klipspringer for a time with water. Sometimes 

 in these waterless districts a prolonged drought 

 occurs which shrivels up the vegetation to such an 

 extent that it lacks a sufficiency of water to supply 

 the bodily needs of this hardy little antelope, and 

 it is, in consequence, forced to abandon its rocky 

 castle and brave the dangers of a migration to a 

 more favoured locality. In this way Klipspringers 

 often appear in a locality where they have not been 

 known to exist for years. 



In localities where the Klipspringers are not 

 persecuted, they may be seen at almost any time of 

 the day feeding, frolicking, or resting beneath or 

 on the sides of their rocky home. 



When surprised at the foot of their rocky fast- 

 nesses they, with elevated head, bound off with the 

 most astounding daring and agility, leaping like 

 animated rubber balls from boulder to boulder, and 

 from one pinnacle of rock to another. Poising with 

 45 



