THE STEENBUCK 163 



they may as a rule be met with in scrubby bush 

 country, and, more rarely, in the forest itself. 

 After the burning of the grass in the dry season, 

 and with the appearance of the new tender shoots 

 which, about the month of September, begin to 

 surround the blackened grass roots, the steenbuck 

 and other tiny forms steal quietly out from their 

 winter retreat, and are then more easily seen than 

 in the summer. With the duikers and several 

 other small types they share the peculiarity of 

 being, it would almost seem, unaffected by the 

 sound of the discharge of firearms. Whether this 

 arises from deafness I very much doubt, as their 

 power of locating other sounds is incontestable ; 

 but the fact remains that shot after shot may 

 sometimes be fired at their tiny forms without 

 causing them to display the smallest concern or 

 consciousness of what is taking place. 



I have on many occasions, whilst sitting down 

 to rest in the forest alter, it may be, a long and 

 exhausting tramp after other game, watched 

 unseen the movements of these pretty, dainty 

 little creatures as, all unconscious of observation, 

 they have pursued their daily avocations. I can 

 see them now, as with slightly bunched-up hind- 

 quarters, and head held low, they advance 

 mincingly, a step at a time, along some narrow, 

 shady forest glade, the tiny, restless, white-edged 

 tail moving nervously, ceaselessly, and rapidly 

 from side to side — a personification of wary 

 alertness, a very incarnation of delicacy and 

 grace. I think the most delightful family of 

 domesticated wild things I have ever seen is one 



