NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



pursued by greyhounds, the Hare frequently suc- 

 ceeds in evading capture by its remarkable power 

 of making swift turning movements to left or right, 

 which baffle the dogs, owing to their inability to turn 

 rapidly when running at full speed. 



The various species of carnivorous animals and 

 birds of prey are the Hare's chief enemies. The 

 majority of the former lie in ambush and spring 

 out upon the Hare, or, owing to their powers of 

 scent, they are able to discover and devour the 

 leverets before they have developed powers of 

 flight. 



Sitting under a bush, I watched a large Blue 

 Hawk with coral red legs, known as the Chanting 

 Goshawk (Metier ax conorus), flying low and care- 

 fully inspecting the ground. Suddenly he fell like 

 a stone, and a Hare bounded from the grass on the 

 spot the Hawk dropped on. Flying low the Goshawk 

 continued to beat down on the distressed Hare until 

 the poor creature was overcome. 



In South Africa the Eagle Owl levies a consider- 

 able toll on hares ; and amongst animals the Striped 

 Muishond (Ictonyx capensis) is an implacable foe 

 to the Hare. It is a slow-moving animal, but its 

 powers of scent are so keen that it is able to track 

 the Hare like a bloodhound. The Hare when 

 startled by a Muishond, bounds off at full speed, 

 but finding its foe is not apparently following, it 

 soon slackens its pace and begins feeding again. 

 The Muishond, however, is upon its track, and 

 194 



