The Bushbuck 483 



cessful in getting a shot at a buck owing to the presence of does, which, 

 on an average, predominate in the proportion of about two or three to every 

 buck, he will at least have had the satisfaction of locating them in a certain 

 spot, and after taking a mental note of the position, can return some other time, 

 with if possible a day or two's interval. He should then be on the ground 

 not later than 5 p.m., and take up a position from which he can command a 

 good view, though concealed himself, and wait patiently until they come out 

 to feed. The does and young ones will be the first to appear, the old bucks 

 rarely venturing out until just before sundown. By this time the does will 

 have had time to reconnoitre — they appear to rely on their sense of hearing 

 and smell much more than on sight — and settle down to feed ; and, until 

 the buck does appear, I know of few pleasanter ways of spending an hour 

 or so in the quiet cool of the evening than watching two or three of these 

 beautiful creatures within sometimes less than 50 yards, as they slowly and 

 noiselessly move about, delicately nibbling a blade of grass or the leaf off a 

 bush, and every now and again stopping to listen, with their large ears 

 working backwards and forwards. If by some mischance the does see or 

 scent danger and retreat back to cover with their loud warning bark, there 

 will be no chance of the buck putting in an appearance that evening until 

 it is too dark to shoot. 



The does drop their young during February and March. 



The measurements and weights of a buck and doe taken on the spot 

 where they fell are as follows : — 



Buck. — Total length, 5 feet 3J inches; height at shoulder, 2 feet 11J inches; 



tail, 9 inches ; weight, 148 lbs. 

 Doe. — Total length, 4 feet ioi inches ; height at shoulder, 2 feet f\ inches ; 



tail, 7$ inches ; weight, 92 lbs. 



F. J. Jackson. 



