THE RED DUIKER 



THE RED DUIKER 



(Cefhalophus natalensis) 



Mkumbi of Zulus ; Msumbi of Swazis and Matonga ; Isikupu of 

 Basutos ; Chisimbi of the lower Zambesi natives. 



The Red Duiker, otherwise known as the Rooi- 

 Boschbokje (Little Red Bushbuck), inhabits the 

 dense bush, thickly-wooded kloofs and tree-fringed 

 banks of rivers from Pondoland, coastwards through 

 Natal, Swaziland, Eastern Transvaal, Rhodesia, and 

 the forest and scrub-covered country of the East 

 Coast as far as Zanzibar. The Red Duiker is found 

 in greatest abundance in the dense forest belts 

 which fringe the eastern coast. In Natal I have 

 never met with it in the inland districts. 



It is solitary by habit, but a pair may be seen now 

 and then together. I have on many occasions 

 surprised several browsing in company in the forest 

 glades during the early evening. Occasionally these 

 Duikers venture forth and nibble the young crops 

 in cultivated fields in close proximity to their bushy 

 homes. They do not venture abroad by day except 

 just after sunrise and before sunset. During rainy 

 weather, or when the sky is very overcast, they 

 sometimes are seen on the move. Their food 

 consists of tender shoots, leaves, wild berries and 

 fruits. 



This Duiker is never found in dry districts where 

 there is no permanent supply of water. It rests 



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