482 Great and Small Game of Africa 



considerably thinned their numbers, others very soon took their place. 

 French and the scarlet - runner beans are an irresistible attraction to 

 them. 



The ground-colour of the bushbuclc varies from a bright chestnut-red 

 to ink-blackish brown, and the older the animal the fewer and more indis- 

 tinct the spots and stripes become, until they vanish altogether. 



Many of the old bucks found on Mau, from 7000 to 9000 feet, at a 

 little distance look quite black, and they are also slightly bigger and 

 heavier than those found on lower ground, but there is nothing strikingly 

 peculiar in this beast in the matter of darker colour, as nearly all the birds 

 and smaller mammals, with an extensive range and provided they are 

 permanent residents and not immigrants, are, in those high places, much 

 darker than those found 3000 to 4000 feet lower down. 



This is, I think, partly on account of the coat being much longer and 

 thicker, but not altogether, as on examination each individual hair will be 

 found to be several shades darker. This is no doubt a provision of Nature, 

 which makes them assimilate better with the sombre surroundings of their 

 forest habitat. 



The bushbuck is an antelope that takes up its quarters in one particular 

 spot in the forest, an isolated patch of wood, or thickly covered belts 

 bordering the course of a stream ; such places becoming its regular haunt, 

 where it may be seen day after day in almost the exact spot, when it comes 

 out to feed in the evenings and early mornings. If one happens to pass by 

 during the daytime when they are lying up, they will often give notice of 

 their presence by a loud baboon-like bark, should they either hear or scent 

 the intruder. For this reason the bushbuck is not difficult to circumvent, 

 as all the hunter has to do is to go out in the evening, about 4.30 to 

 5 o'clock, or, if in the morning, at daylight, and stroll along very quietly 

 outside the forest in exactly the same manner as one does at home in the 

 summer-time when after rabbits with a rifle by a cover side. If unsuc- 



