240 Great and Small Game of Africa 



East Africa. At the higher elevations they frequent the most open ground, 

 lying in grassy hollows, on sheltered slopes, or amongst out-cropping rocks ; 

 but in the low country are found amongst palm-groves and low scrubby 

 bush. If they discover any one at a distance they usually lie down, and 

 under all circumstances lie very closely. They associate in pairs or in small 

 parties of three or four. When disturbed they dart off at a rapid pace, 

 running low for about 30 yards, then commence springing frequently into 

 the air, alighting each time upon their hind-legs first ; the object of this is 

 probably to enable them to see in what direction they are going. Oribi 

 fawns are born about Christmas-time, but I have seen many in Portuguese 

 East Africa which would be fully two months old at the end of November. 

 Oribi shooting with the rifle is very pretty sport. Formerly we used 

 to hunt on horseback, and ride into the patches, dismounting as they 

 jumped away, and taking the shot as quickly as possible. Better sport can 

 perhaps be obtained on foot if the grass is not too long. They may be 

 seen standing about or feeding, and on discovering the sportsman they will 

 lie down, and the latter must then manoeuvre round them, approaching 

 nearer and nearer, and being ready to fire when they jump up. They can 

 be bagged also in this way with a smooth-bore and a charge of 3A shot. 

 If in doubt whether the buck is hit, it must be closely watched (if mounted 

 the sportsman should gallop after it), for when wounded they invariably go 

 and lie down very quickly, and can be easily approached and shot. When 

 on foot the sportsman should carefully survey the ground ahead of him with 

 his glasses — especially sloping hillsides — for an oribi, with its yellow fur, is 

 a very conspicuous object, though small ; but practice is required to enable 

 one to distinguish between the small yellow ant-heaps and the game one 

 seeks. Oribi have a great turn of speed, and only a good greyhound will 

 run into them. The flesh is excellent eating, but, like that of all smaller 

 antelopes, requires well larding. 



F. Vaughan Kirby. 



