THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 25 



fast powerful greyhound with a lot of bottom to run up on a Stein- 

 buck. As nearly all proprietors strictly preserve the species in 

 Griqualand West, they are there very numerous, perhaps even more 

 so than in the native territories further North. This gazelle com- 

 mences feeding about sundown, and continues its wanderings during 

 the night, at sunrise retiring under cover of some low thick clump of 

 bush or patch of long grass, where, unless disturbed, it passes the 

 entire day in concealment. As it usually lies asleep during the great 

 heat of the sun, it can then be easily walked up to and readily disposed 

 of with a charge of buckshot. When severely wounded or hard pressed 

 by dogs, it will often take refuge in the burrow of the ardvaark (ant- 

 bear). At all times the Steinbuck is rather a difficult shot with the 

 rifle ; but if the half-hour before dusk or sunrise be chosen, some pretty 

 rifle shooting may be obtained, and a quiet stalk at such times through 

 a veldt which they frequent will often well repay the sportsman when 

 larger antelopes are not at hand. The wind has no influence with 

 regard to the direction in which it goes, as it will run either up or 

 down wind. It does not frequent very hilly or thick bush country, 

 and is capable of existing for long periods without water. The 

 Steinbuck is very easily tamed, but invariably becomes blind when 

 kept in captivity for any length of time. The flesh is excellent. 



The Oribi {Nanotragus scoparms). Fig. 15, Plate V. 



\_Height about 2 feet. Body stouter and tnore compact than the 

 Steinbuck., the colouring being more yellowish., with white below ; 

 hair and tail longer. Horns about 5 inches in length, straight 

 and pointed, being considerably annulated above the base. Female 

 hornless. Spoor same shape as, but slightly larger than, the Stein- 

 btick.'] 



This antelope is very common on the open plains of Natal and Zulu- 

 land, where it is better known than the Steinbuck, which it closely 

 resembles in its habits and appearance, if we except the conspicuous 

 brushes on the knees and black tail which the Oribi possesses. It 

 frequents the Transvaal in fair numbers, the Eastern districts of the 

 Cape Colony, and the Orange Free State, as also portions of Mata- 

 beleland and the country in the neighbourhood of the Victoria Falls 

 on the Zambesi, and about Fort Victoria in Mashonaland. One or 

 two specimens are said to have been obtained in Bechuanaland, but 

 it is unknown in the Kalahari and to the Westward. It frequents 



