28 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Duiker ("diver" or "dodger") is, next to the Steinbuck, the 

 most common and widely-distributed of the smaller antelopes, and 

 may be found sometimes in pairs, but more frequently singly, in 

 every suitable locality from the vicinity of Table Bay to the Zambesi. 

 Its most favourite habitats are usually flats covered with long grass, 

 with here and there patches of thick bush. It also frequents the 

 slopes of low sparsely-wooded hills, but is rarely met in a much 

 broken country. Its habits are almost similar to those of the Stein- 

 buck, wandering about on the feed during the night, and reclining 

 during the entire day in some clump of bushes. It is much more 

 wary, however, than the animal above referred to, and even during 

 the hottest hours of the day appears to be on the qui vive. From 

 its peculiar habit of diving with great rapidity under and in and out 

 through the bushes, although approached unawares, it is not by any 

 means easy to shoot, even with a shot gun. Possessing, also, great 

 vitality, unless actually killed outright, it often manages to effect 

 its escape. The Duiker varies considerably in size and appearance 

 according to the districts in which it is found, those of the Cape 

 Colony and Griqualand West being, as a rule, smaller and lighter 

 in colour than those in the countries farther North. In those por- 

 tions of the Kalahari which have no permanent surface water they 

 are very common, and attain their largest size, some specimens 

 having been shot which measured 28 inches at the shoulder; hence 

 the confusion caused by the supposition that there was more than 

 one variety of this species. Unlike the Steinbuck, this antelope is 

 not of a wandering disposition, and will often frequent, if not much 

 disturbed, exactly the same spot for more than one season ; in 

 addition to which its capability of subsisting without water for 

 lengthened periods is greater. The flesh is not so good as that 

 of the Steinbuck. 



The Natal ReAbwcV. {Cephalolophus natalensis). Fig. 2, Plate I. 



\_Height about 2 pet. General colour ., orange red, much darker 

 above, paleing below; ears rather large. Horns rarely exceed A 

 to 2 inches in length, placed close together with a backward sweep, 

 a long tuft of hair being between. Spoor same as the Duiker, but 

 rather smaller. \ 

 This antelope is found only in Zululand, Natal, and the Southern 

 portions of Swazieland, but is everywhere very scarce. It is, how 



