THE MOUNTAIN REEDBUCKS 
CERVICAPRA FULVORUFULA and CERVICAPRA FULVORUFULA 
CHANLERI 
I N addition to the various species and races of reedbucks which justify 
their name by never moving far away from rivers, lakes or swamps, 
where reeds usually grow, there are also two nearly allied species of 
antelopes whose habitat is rocky hills or the steep escarpments of river 
valleys, where no reeds exist. These animals are in appearance 
miniature reedbucks, with the same long pointed ears, the same bare 
spots near their bases, and the same fluffy tails, the white underside of 
which is always exposed as they run, as in their larger relatives. The better- 
known of these two species is an inhabitant of all the hilly districts of 
South Africa which lie south of the Limpopo River, where it is called by all 
colonists (both British and Dutch) the “ Rooi rhebok.” To zoologists this 
species is known as cervicapra fulvorufula. In colour these little antelopes 
are perhaps slightly more rufous than reedbucks, but they are more of a 
greyish fawn than red. They stand some twenty-six or twenty-eight 
inches at the shoulder, and their horns turn forwards as in the reedbuck, 
but are very much smaller, seldom exceeding seven and a half inches in 
length. It is worthy of remark that whereas in the typical South African 
reedbuck there is a soft, gristly cushion at the base of the horns at all 
ages, such a cushion only appears in old males of the rooi rhebok. 
These handsome little antelopes are usually found amongst the bushes 
near the low cliffs which are so commonly met with just beneath the flat 
tops of the South African hills and kopjes, and the best way to hunt them 
is to first climb to the top of such hills and scan their sides from above. 
Rooi rheboks run in families of two or three or in small herds of from 
five or six to ten or twelve individuals. Old bucks are often met with 
alone. When alarmed, these antelopes always whistle shrilly, and usually 
run uphill. 
The East African form of the rooi rhebok is known as Chanlers’ reedbuck 
{Cervicapra fulvorufula chanleri ), and is common not only on all the hills of 
that territory, but also on the steep and more or less rocky slopes of rivers 
running through level country, such as the Athi and all its tributaries 
and the N’zoia. 
Chanlers’ reedbuck is somewhat smaller than the rooi rhebok of South 
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