NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



inhabits the stony slopes of hills of the eastern part 

 of Cape Province up through Natal, Zululand, 

 Swaziland, Basutoland ; and westwards through the 

 Orange Free State, the Transvaal to Bechuanaland, 

 and northwards to the Zambesi. A local race or 

 sub-species occurs in East Africa, north of the 

 Zambesi. 



The Rooi Rhebok associates in small parties of 

 from four to eight or a dozen individuals. They 

 inhabit the rocky slopes of the hills and mountains, 

 mostly on the bushy sides just below the krantzes. 

 They are very wary and suspicious, and when either 

 resting or feeding, a sentinel, usually an old ram, 

 keeps a sharp lookout, and on the slightest suspicion 

 of danger sounds the alarm signal, which is a shrill, 

 sharp whistle, and is indistinguishable from that of 

 the common Reedbuck. 



Their favourite haunts are on the sunny slopes 

 and shallow gullies amongst the dry grass and 

 stunted bushes. In former times they were common 

 amongst the foothills and lower terraces ; but since 

 the country has become more settled, these antelopes 

 have retired to the safety afforded by the higher 

 elevations. Sometimes solitary old rams may be 

 seen. These were former chieftains, which, ovnng 

 to advancing age were unable to hold their leadership 

 against the younger and more robust males. 



The flesh of this buck, although palatable, is 

 inferior to that of the common Reedbuck. 



When alarmed they make off at a free, easy, 

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