ZEBRAS. 355 



been crossed witli the horse and donkey ; the mules, or hybrids, 

 generally partake of the character and appearance of both parents. 



Quaggas are described as the bravest of all the equine animals. 

 They are said to attack the hyaena and wild dog without hesi- 

 tation, and on this account are occasionally domesticated by the 

 Dutch Boers, for when turned out at night with the horses they 

 make themselves useful by acting as protectors against the visits 

 of the predatory beasts. For should an animal of this description 

 threaten to attack the herd, the quagga is reputed to spring at the 

 foe, and, beating it to the ground with a free use of the fore-hoofs, 

 trample it to death. 



Burchell's zebra (Equus Burchellii), by some called the dauw, is 

 an animal that in appearance, as far as its colouring goes, seems 

 to occupy an intermediate position between the true zebra and 

 the quagga. The ground colour of the short and glossy coat is 

 of a sienna brown, and the stripes with which it is banded are not 

 quite so dark in hue as those of the zebra, nor are they so numerous. 

 Instead of covering the entire body and limbs, as a rule they are 

 only seen on the head, neck, and upper part of the body and legs, 

 the ventral surface and lower portion of the limbs being pure 

 white. 



The absence of the markings on the legs, which is generally 

 considered to be a noticeable distinction between the true zebra 

 and this species, is not an invariable feature of the animal, how- 

 ever, for Mr. Buckley stated in his paper that out of five of them 

 that were shot in one herd, there were individuals showing every 

 variation of colour and marking, from the yellow and chocolate 

 stripes to the pure black and white, the stripes in some ceasing 

 above the hock, and in others being continued distinctly down to 

 the hoof. The hoofs are different to those of the zebra, for they 

 are much less concave beneath, being in this way better adapted 

 for the plains, the zebra's hoofs being more suitable for the hfe it 

 leads on the rough and craggy surface of a mountainous district. 



The Burchell zebra is extensively diffused over South Africa, 

 and extends into Abyssinia, Congo, and southward to the Gareep, 

 or Orange river. It is one of the commonest animals throughout 

 South Africa. " A few years ago it was equally common on the 



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