78 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Bush Pig or Southern River Hog {Sus Iqrvatus). 



\Height about the same as the Wart Hog, the body, however, 

 being longer. General colour, reddish brown, profusely mixed with 

 grey ; snout long, projecting considerably in advance of under jaw ; 

 ears excessively long, and running gradually to a point, the ex- 

 tremity of the tips being tufted with bristles and generally resembling 

 in appearance those of the Red Lynx (Felis caracal) ; a very 

 remarkable extended bony excrescence on bridgeofnose ; bristles close 

 and very long, particularly so down the centre of back and overhanging 

 rump ; tail tufted at the extremity, on progression being held 

 downwards. Tusks resemble the common wild Boar (Sus scrofa).] 



In Matabeleland and Mashonaland this species may be met with, 

 but it is extremely scarce, although perhaps more common in the 

 low-lying bush country to the East. In Bechuanaland, Damaraland, 

 or the 'Ngami country, the natives do not even appear to be aware 

 of its existence. In the forest districts of Natal and the Eastern 

 Provinces of the Cape Colony its presence is often reported, and in 

 Zululand it appears to be rather plentiful. It is never found any 

 great distance from water, and always frequents the densest bush. 



The Cape Hare [Lepus capensis). — Vlaakte Haas of the 

 Dutch. The Bechuana and Matabele tenn for all the 

 Hares is Mootcla. 



[Body considerably smaller than the common English Hare, the 

 legs being very short in comparison. General colour, brownish grey 

 with reddish tinge; underneath, reddish fawn; ears very long, 

 almost devoid of fur, and always held erect when pur sued ^^ 



This animal frequents open flats, and is generally met with 

 in the Karoo bush of the Cape Colony, and, indeed, throughout 

 temperate South Africa.* The Hares of South Africa deserve little 

 consideration from a sporting point of view, as they are incapable of 

 running with any great speed, and when pursued will take to ground 

 on the first opportunity in some meercat or spring hare burrow. 

 The species now under notice is a particularly unclean feeder, and 



* There is aaother Hare found in the Interior smaller in size, and of a pale yellowish 

 brown colour, and which may eventually prove to be a distinct variety. 



