540 THE WATER BUCK. 



mentioned on a succeeding page. Although the two Antelopes are entirely distinct, even in 

 external aspect, they have often been confused together in consequence of the Dutch name, 

 Blau-bokje, having been given to both of them on account of the color of their coat. 



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 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 con- 

 cealed 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 pur- 

 suers. 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 Ms 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 have tracked him for miles over his blood-stained spoor. But still he 

 does sometimes retreat and recover after receiving very severe hurts. 



When the Riet-bok is disturbed, he gives as he gallops off a kind of whistling sneeze, 

 which is usually intended as a call for the doe. This whistle sometimes leads to his destruc- 

 tion, as the hunter may pass close to a hidden buck and not have seen it. Then, however, he 

 usually jumps up and gallops away, giving this whistle, which at once attracts attention. 



The Riet-bok is very fond of young corn, and therefore the Kaffirs are most anxious to 

 drive away or to kill any of these Antelopes which had chosen a retreat near their corn-fields. 

 Hunters have often won the eternal friendship of a whole village by shooting some trespassing 

 bucks which had annoyed them. 



The height of this animal is about three feet, and its length nearly five feet. The horns 

 are a foot in length, and covered with bold rings at the base ; the ears are six inches long. 



Its color is ashy-gray above, and white beneath ; the female is rather smaller than her 

 mate, and is destitute of horns. In the Kaffir language its name is Umseke. 



The .ZEquitoon, Kob, or Sing-sing, is a native of Western Africa, and is frequently found 

 on the banks of the Gambia. 



It is a large animal, equalling the common stag in dimensions, and bearing some resem- 

 blance to that animal in general aspect. The horns of the adult male are lyre-shaped, and 

 covered with rings. 



The general color of this animal is a pale brown, the entire under surface and inner 

 faces of the limbs being white. There is no mane, and the tail is rather long, and covered 

 with hair. 



The Water Buck, or Photomok, is one of the handsomest examples of the South Afri- 

 can Antelopes. 



It is a peculiarly timid animal, and when alarmed rushes at once towards the nearest river, 

 into which it plunges without hesitation, and which it will cross successfully even when the 

 stream is deep, strong, and rapid. The animals are probably induced to take to the water by 

 their instinctive dread of the lion and leopard, which will never voluntarily enter the water, 

 except under peculiar circumstances. The Water Bucks are generally found in small herds, 

 which never wander far from the banks of some large river. 



The horns of this species are remarkable for their formation, being somewhat lyrate, bent 

 back, and thrown forwards at their extremities. The tail is rather long, and is covered with 

 long hairs towards its termination. 



The flesh of this animal is very powerfully scented, and is of so bad a flavor that none but 

 a hungry Kaffir will eat it, and even he will not do so until forced by dire hunger. This pecu- 

 liar scent is probably variable in potency according to the season of the year, as is the case 

 with all perfumed animals. Hunters say that those which they killed have been totally uneat- 



