246 Great and Small Game of Africa 



had been eaten by a remarkably fine breed of omnivorous rat, and the only 

 thing he could remember about them was that they were the usual colour, 

 had four legs, and that their skins fitted them remarkably well ! 



This little antelope is found singly or in small lots of two or three 

 together, male, female, and young one. Occasionally five or six may be 

 seen together. They are essentially beasts of the open, and at all times 

 avoid bush and other thick cover. During the heat of the day, and when 

 the grass is long and withered, they are rarely seen unless disturbed, as 

 they lie down about 8.30 a.m., and are not on the move again until 3.30 

 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. On the Mau down, for practically half the 

 year, that is from June to December, one might go for days without seeing 

 one, owing to their size and colour assimilating so closely with the length 

 and shade of the grass. They lie very close, like a duiker, and will almost 

 allow themselves to be trodden on, but when they do move they go off 

 with such a rush, and double from side to side so quickly that it is almost 

 impossible to see them until they have gone some distance, when they 

 will bound up into the air, no doubt to see where they are going, and if 

 there is danger ahead. These bounds are only taken in long grass. During 

 the rest of the year, when the grass is short and green, they are very con- 

 spicuous and can be seen at long distances. 



No buck of its size affords better sport than this oribi, and certainly 

 few, if any, can compare with it if the main object of its pursuit is for 

 the " pot." 



Any one wishing to stalk them should be out early and on the ground 

 between daylight and 8.30 a.m. ; and, if the wind will allow him to do so, 

 he should work the ground with the sun at his back or on one side, as 

 they are then so much easier to see. The evening, between 4 p.m. and 

 sundown, is, if anything, a better time, as the wind is likely to be much 

 steadier, and the sun, being low down, makes them show up quite as well 

 as in the morning. It is certainly a much nicer time, as it is becoming 



