THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 29 



ever, stated on good authority to have been recently found in South- 

 eastern Mashonaland. Its habits closely resemble those of the 

 Duiker, to which species it is apparently allied, except that it chooses 

 dense forests as a residence, from which it only emerges in the 

 evening, or during wet weather. 



The Biuebuck {Cephalolophus monticola). Fig. 11, Plate IV. 



\Height about 13 inches. General colour^ slaty mouse, white 

 beneath, round the eyes being devoid of hair; head long and pointed, 

 not unlike a rat in appearance. Horns about iVz to 2 inches in 

 length, closely annulated and reclining. Female smaller, hornless. 

 Spoor scarcely exceeds ^ inch in length.'] 



The Bluebuck is the most diminutive of all the South African 

 antelopes, and even the most practised eye will frequently fail to 

 detect its presence. It is only found in the coast districts of the Cape 

 Colony, and occasionally in Natal, being nowhere plentiful. Its 

 habits are solitary, and it confines itself to the dense bush and forest, 

 from which it is difficult to dislodge, darting from cover to cover 

 when pursued by dogs with a celerity that is surprising. It ernits a 

 nasty musky odour. Flesh not particularly good. 



The Springbuck {Gazelle euchore). Fig. 20, Plate VI. — 

 {Springbok of the Dutch ; Tsepee of the Bechuanas.) 



{Average height 31 inches, often exceeded in North-west Bechu- 

 analand. General colour, bright rufous down the flanks, being 

 marked on each side with a rich chestnut horizontal band, verging 

 into dark plum as it joins the white of the belly, which is pure white 

 inside legs ; folds of skin over rump, when animal is excited, exhibit 

 a snow-white crested patch ; under portion of neck white j face and 

 breast white, a chestnut streak passing from between the horns to 

 nose; tail 8 inches long. Horns of male black, lyrate, about 12 

 inches in length along the curve, plentifully annulated. Female 

 with horns, narrower, more slender, and less curved. Spoor much 

 heart-shaped, slightly under 2 inches.] 



The period when Gordon Cumming says the plains of South Africa 

 were literally covered with countless herds of this beautiful antelope 

 is now long past. At the present day some flocks of Springbuck 

 may be found in portions of the Cape Colony, particularly in the 

 Karoo belt about Beaufort West, Carnarvon, Calvinia, and Little 



