NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



secured it, and driving its talons deep into its victim's 

 back, it slew the little creature with a single stroke 

 on the skull with its powerful beak. It then pro- 

 ceeded to tear open its victims' side and feed upon 

 the viscera. 



On sighting an Eagle, the Steenbok, when feeding 

 in the open veld, does not attempt to bolt for cover 

 unless such be close at hand. On the contrary, it 

 crouches under the nearest shrub or tuft of grass and 

 lies perfectly still, trusting to the similarity of its 

 colour with that of the surroundings to escape 

 detection. 



On the estates of some friends, these little antelopes 

 are not molested, and in consequence they are sur- 

 prisingly tame and unsuspicious, allowing any one 

 to approach within twenty paces. 



Unlike the majority of the other small African 

 antelopes, the Steenbok is a delicate and easily- 

 killed animal, and a shot from an ordinary rook-rifle 

 will kill them instantly if any vital part is struck. 



The flesh, although dry, is tender and palatable. 



The Steenbok averages 20 inches in height at the 

 shoulder. 



In form the Steenbok is extremely graceful and 

 slender, with delicate-looking legs, and bright, 

 lustrous eyes. 



The Steenbok is bright sandy-rufous or red-fawn 



on the back, which colour becomes more intense 



on the head ; some individuals have a more or less 



brown hue ; in others the fur of the back is sparingly 



54 



