NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The Kafir boys of to-day amuse themselves by 

 hunting the Dassie with kerries. Two or three boys 

 will silently steal up within throwing distance and 

 simultaneously hurl their kerries, which are sticks 

 with knobs on the end. 



The flesh, although edible, is not often eaten by 

 Europeans, as it is dry and tasteless ; and, moreover, 

 after the large paunch is removed, the quantity of 

 flesh upon the bones is surprisingly small. 



The principal enemies of the Dassie among the 

 lower animals are the various species of wild cats, 

 chief among which are the Leopard, Serval, Lynx 

 and Kafir Cat. The Mungoose and theMuishond 

 also prey upon it. The smaller of the Mungooses, 

 and the Muishonds, of which there are two kinds, 

 viz. the Striped Muishond and the Snake Muishond, 

 are especially dreaded by the Dassie, for, owing to 

 the slender nature of their bodies, they are able to 

 pursue and follow the Dassie to its innermost lair. 

 Therefore, seek shelter where they will, they are at 

 the mercy of these fierce and bloodthirsty little 

 carnivorous animals. 



The Eagles also levy a heavy toll upon the Klip 

 Dassie, and in spite of their watchfulness, these wary 

 birds frequently succeed in surprising them out upon 

 the rocks, or when feeding. 



Their greatest enemy among the Eagle tribe is 

 Verreaux's Eagle {Aquila verreauxi), ■which is known 

 to the Dutch as the Dassie-vanger, which paeans 

 Dassie-catcher. The home of this bird is among 



232 



