9 2 Great and Small Game of Africa 



allow itself to be caught. On another occasion, while a wounded zebra 

 was being followed, the fresh spoor of a lion was found imprinted over the 

 tracks, also following the zebra. In Ogaden the lions, in places and 

 districts where kraals are scarce, make zebras their staple food. 



H. G. C. Swayne. 



The True or Mountain Zebra [Equus zebra) 



Hottentot Name, Dhow 



The true zebra, sometimes called mountain zebra, is known to the 

 Boers of Cape Colony as Wilde Paard, or wild horse, while its ancient 

 Hottentot name is Dacw. In its markings it differs widely from the 

 other members of this group, as may readily be seen by a comparison 

 of the skins. The zebra's body colour is of a clear silvery white, and 

 the dark brown or black markings are distributed over every part of 

 the body except the stomach, which — with the inner parts of the thighs 

 — is pure white. These markings extend right down to the hoofs, and 

 the legs are beautifully and evenly banded. Mr. Rowland Ward has 

 at the present time (1899) a ^ ne stuffed specimen of the mountain zebra, 

 in which, curiously enough, there is a flaw or white space, free from 

 markings, on the near fore fetlock. 1 This is manifestly a " sport," and 

 this zebra is the only instance I have ever seen or heard of, dead or 

 alive, in which the legs are not found perfectly banded down to the 

 very hoof. The muzzle is of a rich tan colour and the rest of the head 

 is evenly marked in bright brown. The mane is erect and is banded in 

 black or very dark brown and white, but is not so bushy and does not 

 come so far on to the forehead as in the Burchell's zebra. The true 

 zebra is less in height than Burchell's and Grevy's zebras, and stands 

 usually from 12 to 12^ hands. The animal is sturdy, short-backed, 



1 An illustration of this "sport" is given on p. 97. — Ed. 



