48 EXPEDITION INTO 



CHAPTER VIII. 



FROM LITTLE CHOOI, TO THE MERITSANE RIVER. 



The true zebra* is exclusively confined to mountainous 

 regions^ from which it rarely if ever descends : but the ex- 

 tensive plains of Southern Africa abound with two distinct 

 species of the same g-enus^ the quag-g-at ^^^ the striped 

 quag-g-a or Burchell's zebra.J These diifer little from each 

 other in point of shape or size, both having- the tail and 

 ears of the horse, whilst the zebra has those of the ass. Of 

 a pale red colour, the quagga is faintly striped onl}^ on the 

 head and neck — but Burchell's zebra is adorned over every 

 part of the body with broad black bands, wdiich beautifully 

 contrast with a pale yellow gTound. The g-noo and the 

 common quag"g'a delig'hting- in the same situations, not unfre- 

 quently herd tog-ether — but I have seldom seen Burchell's 

 zebra unaccompanied by troops of the brindled g'noo,§ — 

 an animal differing- materially fi'om its brother of the same 

 g-enus, from which, thoug'h scarcely less ung-ainly, it is 

 readily distinguishable at a g-reat distance by its black mane 

 and tail, more elevated withers, and clumsier action. 



We were preparing" to leave Chooi, when a party of 

 Griquas arrived with three wag-g-ons. They had been hunt- 

 ing- giraffes on the Molopo, and having expended their am- 

 munition, were returning- to Daniel's Kuil with the spoils. 



* Eqnus Zebra \ 



t Equus Qiiagfia I Delineated in the Portraits of Game and Wild 



X Eqnv.t Biirchdlii C Animals of South Africa 



§ Catohh'fds Go7'ffo?i ) 



