730 THE ZEBRA. 



across the shoulders, nor are their young marked with zebra-like stripes, as is the case 

 with the young Dziggetai. 



It is a swift and wary animal, fleeing in terror before the hunter, and yet stopping 

 at intervals to gaze on the object of its alarm. Unless the hunter is very sure of his 

 aim, he will not risk a shot, for the animals are so terrified by the report and the flash 

 that they forget their curiosity in their fear, and gallop away at the best of their speed, 

 which soon carries them out of danger. It is capable of domestication, and can be 

 put in training like a horse or a domestic ass. 



AFRICA produces some most beautiful examples of the Wild Asses, equalling the 

 Asiatic species in speed and beauty of form, and far surpassing them in richness of 

 color and boldness of marking. 



The QUAGGA looks at first sight like a cross between the common wild ass and the 

 zebra, as it only partially possesses the characteristic zebra-stripes, and is decorated 

 merely upon the hind and fore-parts of the body. The streaks are not so deep as 

 they are in the zebra, and the remainder of the body is brown, with the exception of 

 the abdomen, legs, and part of the tail, which are whitish-gray. The Quagga lives in 

 large herds, and is much persecuted by the natives of Southern Africa, who pursue it 

 for the sake of its skin and its flesh, both of which are in high estimation. 



A NEARER approach to the true zebra is seen in the animal which is indifferently 

 termed the DAUW, the PEECHI, or BURCHELL'S ZEBRA. This species is an inhabitant of 

 Southern Africa, where it is found in large herds south of the Orange River. Unlike 

 the wild ass of Asia, the Dauw keeps aloof from the rocky and hilly districts, and is 

 only found on the plains, where it wanders in company with ostriches, various ante- 

 lopes, and other strange comrades. The general appearance of this species bears a 

 considerable resemblance to that of the zebra, from which animal it may be immedi- 

 ately distinguished by the color, number, and extent of the dark stripes and bands. In 

 the Dauw, the stripes are not so black as in the zebra, and instead of covering the 

 entire body and limbs, they only extend over the head, neck, body, and the upper por- 

 tions of the legs. The general color of the fur is a pale-brown, becoming grayish- 

 white upon the abdomen and inner faces of the limbs. 



Like many other gregarious animals of Southern Africa, the Dauw is found to make 

 periodical migrations, for the purpose of supporting itself with the food that has failed 

 in its original district. In times of scarcity the Dauw, together with several species of 

 antelope, visits the cultivated lands, and makes sad havoc among the growing crops. 

 When rain has fallen, and the forsaken districts have regained their fertility, the Dauw 

 leaves the scene of its plunder, and returns to its ancient pasturage. 



The Dauw is capable of a partial domestication, and can be tamed to a considerable 

 extent. It is, however, considered as possessing a tetchy and uncertain temper, and is 

 of too obstinate a disposition to be of much use to man. By the Matabili and Bech- 

 uana Kaffirs it is called Peet-sey, and the Dutch colonists have given it the name of 

 Bontequagga. 



AMONG all the species of the Ass tribe, the ZEBRA is by far the most conspicuous 

 and the most beautiful. 



The general color of the Zebra is a creamy white, marked regularly with velvety 

 black stripes that cover the entire head, neck, body, and limbs, and extend down to 

 the very feet. It is worthy of note, that the stripes are drawn nearly at right angles to 

 the part of the body on which they occur, so that the stripes of the legs are horizontal, 

 while those of the body are vertical. The abdomen and inside faces of the thighs are 

 cream-white, and the end of the tail is nearly black. This arrangement of coloring is 

 strangely similar to that of the tiger, and has earned for the animal the name of " Hip- 

 potigris," or Horse-tiger, among some zoologists, ancient and modern. The skin of 

 the neck is developed into a kind of dewlap, and the tail is sparingly covered with 

 coarse black hair. By the Cape colonists it is called " Wild Paard," or Wild Horse. 



At the best of times the flesh of the Zebra is not very inviting, being rather tough, 



