NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



On the southern side of Port Elizabeth, what was 

 formerly sand-dunes is now covered for many miles 

 with a dense forest of trees and tangled herbage. 

 This forest is teeming with Grysbok. During the 

 early morning and at sundown they may be seen in 

 dozens out on the cleared spaces known as fire-belts, 

 which intersect the bush. 



During the daytime the Grysbok lies concealed 

 in whatever cover the locality affords, from which 

 it is often difficult to dislodge it. So closely does 

 it lie that a dog will often succeed in approaching 

 to within a few feet of its lair before it scuttles forth. 

 It makes off with head low, and its pace is not 

 great. Out in the open it can easily be run down 

 by a good dog. 



Knowing its limitations in speed, it will not take 

 to the open parts unless absolutely forced, and when 

 frightened from its lair it at once makes for the 

 nearest cover. When caught it bleats like a kid. 

 It is found solitary as a rule, and lies in a lair in the 

 most secluded spot it can find. At the mating season 

 the sexes are often seen together. 



They feed on grass supplemented by edible wild 

 fruits, berries, tender shoots and leaves. They 

 often venture into cultivated lands during the night, 

 and do considerable damage to young grape-vines, 

 fruit-trees and shooting crops. 



These little bucks can exist for long periods 

 without water, often being found in the centre of 

 extensive waterless districts. 

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