KLIPSPRINGER SHOOTING. 71 



either to notice that its hair is good for saddle 

 stuffing, or merely to include it in the ample 

 catalogue of the antelopes to be found between the 

 Zambesi and the Cape. 



The klipspringer {Oreotragus saltatrix), or rock- 

 jumper of the Dutch Boer, sometimes also called 

 the klipbok (rock-buck), may be truly called the 

 chamois of South Africa, and in many points closely 

 resembles the chamois of Europe. It has the same 

 marvellous facility for the retention of its foothold 

 when leaping from one piece of rock to another, 

 and in its powers of getting about the most 

 precipitous and dangerous cliffs and mountain-sides, 

 it certainly has no reason to fear comparison with 

 its European congener. It will, when pursued, 

 boldly leap from the giddiest heights on to the 

 tiniest projection of rock, and its four hoofs will 

 rest easily on a piece of rock not bigger than a 

 large walnut. It differs certainly from the chamois 

 of Europe in its horns, which in the male are about 

 four inches in length, straight, and sharply pointed ; 

 the female being hornless. Its coat, too, is in its 

 way unique, composed as it is of a thick growth of 

 hollow, brittle hairs, and in colour giving as a whole 

 the appearance of a rich olive brown which fades to 

 grey underneath. The little klipspringer is sturdily 

 built, and in size is about on a par with a three- 

 quarter grown lamb. It stands some twenty-two 

 inches high at the shoulder, and carries a beautiful 

 full head, well set upon its sturdy neck, and its eyes 

 are well placed, soft, and melting ; its hoofs are 

 somewhat hollow and curiously jagged at the edges. 

 It is to be found on every mountain range in South 

 Africa but only in the most inaccessible spots, and 



