NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



usually when alarmed gallop off at great speed until 

 out of sight. 



I have always noticed in localities where they are 

 frequently hunted, both the ram and ewe break 

 away instantly at full speed, usually to the nearest 

 reed beds, long grass or bush. 



These antelope usually associate in pairs, but small 

 family parties of four or five are occasionally seen, 

 although a dozen or more may at times. congregate 

 to feed upon a restricted patch of sweet, sprouting 

 grass. 



Their natural diet is grass, but they acquire a 

 great fondness for young mealie plants and other 

 garden produce. 



In localities such as game preserves where they are 

 not molested, the Reedbucks soon become quite tame. 



On the approach of the breeding season the rams 

 fight fiercely, the combat sometimes terminating in 

 the death of the weaker of the two. 



The young are born during the spring and summer 

 months. In what is known as the low country in 

 South-East Africa they are produced as early as 

 August and September, but in the mountain plateaus, 

 according to Kirby, the young are born from 

 December to March. 



The Reedbuck averages 34 to 36 inches at the 

 shoulder. The hairs are dark brown at the base 

 and yellow at the tip, giving a speckled fulvous- 

 brown shade of colour which is darkest on the back, 

 becoming paler and almost white below, and on the 



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