COMMON REEDBUCK 



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size, lighter build, and the presence of a completely bare or very short- 

 haired patch on each side of the head immediately beneath the ear. 

 The tail, too, is more bushy and shorter, the lateral hoofs are relatively 

 smaller, and the horns, which are of medium length and stoutness, 

 curve regularly upwards, and in some cases also forwards. The present 

 species, the true reitbok of the Boers, is the largest of the genus, 

 standing about 36 or 37 inches at the shoulder; and has the ear-patch 

 completely bare, and the horns inclining markedly forwards. Length 

 from nose to tail 37 inches in a specimen shot by Dr. Percy Rendall. 

 Distribution. — South Africa, extending as far north as Angola on the 

 west, and to Mozambique on the east coast. Although formerly 

 numerous in the eastern districts of Cape Colony and Natal, 

 reedbuck have now become scarce in South Africa, and it is not till 

 Khama's country is reached that they are met with in any numbers. 

 As their name implies, reedbuck frequent the reed-brakes fringing 

 so many African rivers ; and some of the rivers where they are 

 still fairly abundant are the Lotsani in Bamangwato and those of 

 Ngamiland and the country between Mashonaland and the east 

 coast. They are generally met with in small family parties ; and 

 when excited or alarmed utter a characteristic shrill whistle. As 

 their flesh is of fair quality, and their shooting by no means difficult, 

 they are much sought after by sportsmen. 



