34° Great and Small Game of Africa 



Springbuck ewes drop their fawns usually between September and 



the end of November, the time varying slightly in different localities. 



It is probable that the springbuck, from its natural wariness and fecundity 



and its habit of dwelling upon open plains, whence it can survey 



attentively the approach of enemies, will be able to resist extermination, 



even where it is not preserved, longer than any other beast of chase in 



South Africa. u a r> 



H. A. Bryden. 



In West Africa 



Portuguese Name, Cahra de Leque 

 Bekguela Native Name, Menya 



These animals are found in large troops on the sandy plains of the 

 west coast. Their range extends in Angola from the mouth of the 

 Quenene River, the southern limit of Portuguese territory, as far north as 

 Benguela ; there are no springbuck north of this point, and there is not 

 one to be found beyond a thirty-mile range from the sea. This is 

 accounted for by the fact that the veld alters and becomes unsuited to 

 their habits. Farther south, towards Mossamedes, their range inland is 

 somewhat more extended. In the Benguela springbucks the facial mark- 

 ings are somewhat more defined and the patch of dark cinnamon-coloured 

 hair between the horns is larger than in the more southern form. The 

 weight of a springbuck is about 80 lbs. Their horns vary very much 

 in shape, the point of some bending forwards, others inwards, and others 

 again bending backwards almost as much as in the chamois. 1 The horns 

 of the male are much thicker than those of the female. These animals 

 herd together in large and small troops ; males and females are found in 

 the same troops all the year round, and single bucks are often met with. 



1 This last-mentioned peculiarity is seldom if ever noticed in the South African springbuck.— En. 



