A Breath from the Veldt 281 



distinct titles, the species is really the same throughout the length and breadth 

 of Africa, individuals differing only in slight external markings and colour of 

 hair. What is known as the sing-sing in West Africa grows to nearly as fine 

 an animal as its southern form, but seldom carries so good a head. In East 

 Africa both forms are found — the dark brown grey with a bright white rump- 

 mark, and the pale brownish-yellow sing-sing with a faint ring, which is, 

 moreover, incomplete. Unless disturbed, waterbuck never move far from the 

 river or spruit which they are accustomed to frequent. In the early hours of 

 the day and evening, they are generally to be found in small herds, on the 

 banks where trees and bush are plentiful, the troops commonly consisting of 

 one old ram and from ten to thirty ewes. 



While feeding, the ewes keep constant guard against surprise, raising their 

 heads very frequently, and quickly moving their ears forward one after the 

 other. Most antelopes cock both ears together and gaze for some time in one 

 direction ; but waterbuck never stare at any point for long, unless they have 

 already observed the approach of an enemy. Their ears are in constant play 

 backward and forward, and their eyes are equally on the alert. Where the 

 troops have been disturbed they will travel very considerable distances from 

 the water ; old rams, indeed, will wander away nearly as far as koodoo bulls, 

 and only come at night to drink, retreating far into the waterless country 

 during the day. This, however, is not their natural habit ; they love the 

 rivers, and will always stay there as long as they can with safety. And here 

 I may notice a point on which nearly every writer who mentions the water- 

 buck insists — that, when pursued, it always heads towards the water. That, 

 I think, is a mistake. They do so, I daresay, pretty often when found at a 

 considerable distance from the river, but (according to my experience) when 

 encountered close to their favourite element they nearly always head right 

 away from it, as the reedbuck does. On three occasions my companion and I 

 found waterbucks far out on the Veldt, and on two of these they certainly 

 did not head towards the nearest water. 



Like pallah, if they have not been much harassed, waterbuck are loath to 

 take serious alarm. A hunter will often run right up into the midst of a troop 

 after they have made their first short run and then stopped. Under such 

 circumstances they seem to be quite bewildered ; and it the hunter is shooting 

 for the pot, he will get several good chances — from the ewes at any rate. 

 When galloping, waterbuck string out in single file with a big interval 

 between every member of the herd, and get over the ground at a very good 



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