BLESBUCK 



163 



18 inches (record, 18f incbes for the male, 16^ inches for 

 the female) ; height about 3 J feet. 



In days gone by the Blesbok roamed over the veld 

 in large herds, consorting with the Springbuck, although 

 now it only exists in flocks of from ten to a couple of 

 hundred individuals on certain farms in the Orange Free 

 State, Transvaal and Bechuanaland, and on one farm in 

 the Steynsburg District of Cape Colony. 



Fig. 85. — Blesbuek in the Zoo. 



I saw in May, 1918, on a farm in the Marquard District 

 of the Orange Free State, over 1,000 Blesbuek, wbich were 

 very wary and shy, and which were well preserved by 

 tbeir owner, the late Mr. Dirk Uys. There is also a fine 

 herd of about 1,000 in the Pretoria district, preserved on 

 the farm of Mr. Hans Erasmus, of Eantjesfontein. 



A number are captured every year for restocking other 

 farms, and the Zoo. The animals are driven into a 

 " drive " of wire-fencing on the veld, which gradually 

 narrows until the converging fences lead into the catching 

 pen. 



The Blesbuek resembles the Bontebok inhabits, roam- 

 ing about the open veld, feeding upon grass, herbs, &c., 

 and being of a wary nature. It is a very fast animal, but 



