6 4 8 



THE RIET-BOK, OR INGHALLA. 



The most practised eyes are required to discover this buck in the bush, as its color 

 is so similar to the gloom of the underwood that if it did not shake the branches in its 

 progress it would be scarcely possible to see it. 



Long after the sportsman has become sufficiently acquainted with bush-craft to secure 

 with certainty one or two red bucks during a day's stalking, he would still be unable 

 to bag the little Blue Buck. 



Several times when I was with a Kaffir, who possessed eyes like those of an eagle, 

 he would point, and with great excitement say, * There goes a Blue-buck ! there he is ! 

 there, there !' but it was of no use to me, I would strain my eyes and look to the spots 

 pointed out, but could see no buck ; and it was a considerable time before my sight 

 became sufficiently quick to enable me to drop this little Antelope with any certainty." 

 From Captain Dray sorts MS. 



This animal must not be mistaken for theblau-bok (sEgocerus leucopfazus), which will 

 be mentioned and figured on a succeeding page. Although the two Antelopes are en- 

 tirely distinct, even in external aspect, they have often been confused together in con- 

 sequence of the Dutch name, Blau-bokje, having been given to both of them on account 

 of the color of their coat. 



RIET-BOK, OR INQHALLA. 



arundlnadeus. 



Passing by several interesting animals, for whose biography there is no space, we 

 arrive at another of the South African Antelopes, the Riet-bok, or Reed-buck. 



" This fine and handsome Antelope," writes Captain Drayson, " is found, as his name 

 implies, principally among reeds or long grass. Few animals give the sportsman such a 

 chance as the Riet-bok, for he usually lies concealed in the reeds or long grass until he is 

 nearly trodden on, and when he does break away, he moves at a steady gallop for a short 

 distance, and then stops to turn and look at his pursuers. As though to compensate for 

 this incautious proceeding, the Riet-bok is gifted with a marvellous tenacity of life and 

 will frequently gallop very freely after a bullet has passed through his body. In very 

 many cases his escape is but temporary, as he seeks some retired kloof in which he dies 

 by inches, or his career is terminated during the night by a pack of hungry hyenas, who 



