THE WILD FAUNA OF THE EMPIKE 31 



Lion {Fells leo). — A few of these were reported from time to 

 time. Seven were seen and one killed near Mallelane in 1904, 

 several near Hector Spruit, and three seen near Mananga in April 

 1905. There were a few in the Lebombo bush and Lomati flats, 

 but not seen by white men to my knowledge. 



Leopard (Felis pardus). — Fairly common throughout the dis- 

 trict, but seldom seen. 



Cheetah (Cynaelurus jubatus). — The hunting leopard is occa- 

 sionally seen. I knew of a pair near Louw's Creek in 1904. 



The Aard Wolf [Proteles cristatus). — Not common, but occa- 

 sionally seen even in the Kaap Valley. 



The Spotted Hy.ena (Hycena crocuta). — A few in certain 

 localities bordering on the Eeserve, in the wilder mountains, and 

 in the Lomati Flats. Traps and poison are gradually exterminating 

 all carnivora. 



The Black-backed Jackal {Canis mesomelas) is becoming 

 rarer every year. I never saw one during two years' residence. 



The Hunting W^ild-dog (Lycaon pictus). — Frequently re- 

 ported; hunts in packs in and out of the Eeserve, and travels 

 quickly over great stretches of country. 



Otter (Lutra capensis). — Fairly common. Probably more 

 numerous than generally suspected. 



Blue Wildebeeste (Connochcetes taurinus). — Some nice 

 herds of these still exist in the Lomati Flats, and there are a few 

 near Hector Spruit. 



•j-Black Wildebeeste {Connochcetes gnu). — The last of these 

 were seen at Louw's Creek in 1885. 



The Blue Duiker [Cephalophus monticola). — Ubiquitous and 

 very numerous. 



The Bed Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) is very common in 

 the district ; haunts bracken and bramble thickets and low bush in 

 the mountain kloofs. 



Klipspringer (Oreotragus saltator). — Common on most 

 mountain ranges. 



IOribi (Ourehia scoparia). — Becoming very scarce. I only 

 knew of a few small herds in 1905 — one lot of eight on Inyoko, 

 one of eight in the Kaap Valley, and a few more near Kaapshe 

 Hoop. 



Stenbok (Raphicerus campestris). — Very common throughout 

 the bush veld. 



Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis). — Two seen on the Lebombo 

 Range in 1904 ; very scarce. 



Waterbuck (Cohus ellipsiprimnus). — Fairly common in suit- 

 able localities. Some near the lower reaches of the Kaap River 

 and along the Komati and Lomati Rivers. 



Reedbuck (Cerricapra arundinum). — Common in certain 

 localities, scarce in the Kaap Valley, numerous in the south-east. 



Rooi Rhebok (Cerricapra fulvorufula). — Common on moun- 



