The Waterbuck 271 



been over much persecuted— in troops of from half a dozen to twenty. 

 When first discovered in South Africa, it seems to have been supposed 

 that this antelope seldom, if ever, quitted the banks of rivers. This idea 

 has been a good deal modified. It is true the waterbuck is extremely 

 partial to the vicinity of water, but it is often found— sometimes in rough 

 stony hills, sometimes in thick bush— at the distance of a mile or more 

 from the nearest water. It runs usually, when pursued, in the direction 

 of the nearest stream or river, though this is not invariably the case. In 

 spite of its heavy build and short legs, the waterbuck is a most active 

 antelope, climbing the steepest and roughest hillsides with ease, and at 

 great speed, and, on the flat, in fairly open country, galloping at a great 

 pace. Even the mounted hunter, if he should happen to surprise a troop 

 of waterbuck in reasonably open country, will find that for a mile or 

 more they will afford him a very stiff gallop before he can hope to close 

 with them. But it is not often that the mounted sportsman obtains such 

 a chance. As a rule he must expect to get his shooting amid trees and bush 

 on or near the banks of some African river system, where often a quick 

 snap-shot only is to be obtained. Where it has not been much shot at, 

 however, the waterbuck not infrequently affords fairly easy shooting, and, 

 even when chased on horseback, the troop will occasionally stop, after 

 their first rush of alarm, and take stock of their pursuers. 



In East Africa, Mr. F. J. Jackson has noted that these animals, besides 

 being common in the neighbourhood of fresh water, are often found in the 

 vicinity of salt-water creeks upon the coast. There seems to be little 

 doubt that where it is much hunted this antelope takes more and more to 

 the thicker bush and cover. In places where it is comparatively unmolested, 

 it may be found in more open and thinly bushed country. 



When pursued and hard put to it, this animal will enter the water and 

 stand at bay, or seek shelter in the dense reed thickets so often met with 

 in the vicinity of African rivers. When wounded, the waterbuck should 



