36 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



old ram of a herd constantly acts as sentinel while the remainder 

 feed, and on the least approach of danger at once gives th6 alarm by 

 shrilly whistling. The flesh is somewhat poor. 



The Reedbuck [Cervicapra arundinum). Fig 23, Plate VII. — 

 {Reitbok of the Dutch ; Cipohata of the Bechuanas ; Umvwee 

 of the Makobas and Masieuvias; Inzeegee of the Matabele.) 



\_Height about j feet. General colotcr, pale fawnish brown 

 approaching orange about the head; belly and inside of legs a dirty 

 white; hair short and somewhat woolly. Horns average 12 inches 

 sometimes attaining to 16 inches, boldly annulated, bending out- 

 ivards and sweeping forwards. Female hornless. Spoor heart- 

 shaped, somewhat narrow at heel, a little over 2 inches.'\ 



It is now extremely rare to meet this species in the Transvaal, 

 except along some of the rivers in the North-eastern districts, and 

 in Bechuanaland it is virtually extinct, although five years ago it 

 was fairly common in the reeds of the Molopo, close to the site of 

 the present town of Mafeking. In portions of the British Pro- 

 tectorate bordering the Crocodile, and along the North-western 

 tributaries of that river, it may still occasionally be met with, but 

 nowhere there in plenty. In the low country on the East Coast 

 about the Pungwe and Sabi Rivers it is extremely numerous. On 

 those rivers of Mashonaland and Matabeleland which are margined 

 with reeds, and where not driven out by the natives and prospectors, 

 it may in places be plentifully found. But along the Chobe, Mababe, 

 Tamulakani, and Botletle Rivers (where the banks are not precipi- 

 tous) it is still quite common. In the dry reed patches bordering 

 Lake 'Ngami, the Taouhe, and Okavango, as far up as Indali's, 

 from which the water recedes during several months of the year, 

 the Reedbuck is particularly numerous; so much so as to lead to 

 the erroneous impression that the antelope is gregarious, so many 

 often being observed together at one time. It is usual to find 

 the rams and ewes consorting in pairs, accompanied by a couple of 

 their immature progeny, usually frequenting dry patches of reeds; 

 but when these become flooded they often resort to the bush 

 in the immediate vicinity of water. Although always found in 

 proximity to the latter element, the Reedbuck when pursued will 

 never take refuge in it, but in endeavouring to escape will direct 

 its course right away from the river beds towards the shelter of the 



