

V ERTEBK ATA, 



more abundant Bupply. < >n these occasions they unite into flocks which often consist of from ten 

 thousand to tiftv thousand individuals, spreading over the face of the whole country like a swarm 

 of locusts, devouring ever} vegetable Bubstanee that they meet with, ami scarcely deviating from 

 their direct path to avoid the men and dogs which endeavor to turn them into another direction. 

 These vast flocks, according to Mr. \l. G. Cumming, will sometimes stream along in an unbroken, 

 compact phalanx for tWO Or three hours. 



This migration is called at the Cape a Trak BoJchen, So great is the number of animals in 

 these migrations that those which happen to get into the rear of the troop are lean and half- 

 red h«t'.. re the migration is concluded, from the advanced ranks cropping the scanty pastures 

 almost hare, and thus leaving these behind nearly destitute of food; but when the journey is con- 

 cluded, and the troop begins to retrace its steps northward, those which formed the van during 

 the advance are necessarily in the rear returning, soon lose their plump condition, and are in their 

 turn subjected to want and starvation. During these migrations the herds are closely followed 

 by lions, panthers, hyenas, and wild dogs, which hang upon their flanks and destroy great num- 

 - of them. There is pi rhaps no spectacle in nature more inspiring than a flock of these beau- 

 tiful atitilopes enlivening the dreary brown karroos of South Africa with their graceful motions; 

 now leaping perpendicularly upward to the height of six or seven feet, displaying at the same 

 time the snowy-white marks on their croups, and anon flying over the desert with the speed of a 

 whirlwind. 



It i< only when disturbed or otherwise excited that they make those extraordinary springs from 

 which tiny have derived their name ; nor do they ever display the white mark on their rump 

 except on these occasions. They are said to be particularly affected by changes of the weather, 

 and are observed to leap more than usual before the setting in of the south wind, which, at the 

 Cape of Good Hope, generally betokens stormy weather, and is always violent and tempestuous. 

 When taken young, the Spring-Buck is easily tamed, and soon displays all the petulance and 

 familiarity of the common goat, butting at every stranger that approaches it, and wardino- off 

 stones or other objects thrown at it with its horns. 



TIIK COMMON AXTILOPE. 



The Basis or Common Antilope Antilope Bezoartica of the English Cyclopedia of Natural 

 Bistory, A. cert icapra of Pallas— is one of the most beautiful of the antilope tribe. Its length is 

 tour feet, its height two and a half; the legs are long and delicate; the body round, but light and 

 well formed; the head small; th< eyes large, lively, and expressive; the ears long, cylindrical, 



