482 



THE SPRINGBOK. 



The wild gazelle on Judah's hills 



Exulting yet may bound, 

 And drink from all the living rills 



That gush on holy ground ; 

 In airy steps and glorious eye 

 May glance in tameless transport by." 



(Byron's Hebrew Melodies.} 



THE SPRINGBOK, OR SPRINGER. (Antilope euchore, Burchell.) 



This is one of the most beautiful and certainly the most 

 abundant of the South African antelopes. In the form of its 

 body and the glossiness of its tints, it resembles the gazelle ; 

 but it is about one-third larger. The general colour on the 

 upper part is a delicate cinnamon brown, divided from the 

 white of the belly and the back by a well-defined band of 

 venous red. From the loins to the rump, extend two folds of 

 the skin, lined with long white hair, and which the animal can 

 display or conceal at pleasure. When in a state of repose, the 

 folds are closed, and their beautiful white hairs are hidden 

 beneath the cinnamon-coloured fur ; but in the act of bounding 

 or leaping the folds open, and then the display of white has 

 a very singular appearance. The horns are very handsome, 

 and much resemble those of the gazelle ; both sexes possess 

 them, but those of the female are smaller than the male's. 



Springboks associate in immense herds. Burchell saw a 



