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Show 1890.] ANTELOPES OF NYASA-LAND. 653 2. CERVICAPRA ARUNDINACEA. Quite as widely distributed as the Water-buck, though in fewer numbers, is the Reed-buck, " Mpoyo " of the Anyanja, " Ndopi " of the Ajawa, " Imzigi" of the Angoni, " Swye" of the Ahenga and Anyika, and " Iswera " of the Ankonde. All over Nyasa-land Reed-bucks are to be found, at least wherever there are open plains such as Water-buck frequent; I have not, however, come across them in the hills. On the West Coast, on tbe plains to the north of Cape Maclear, especially between Amuwa and Mpemba's, I found the Reed-buck in considerable numbers in 1885. I also saw a good number in 1889, scattered about the country between Chombi and Nkanga; here there are five small rivers, the Kapwekeri, Hara, Kambweri, Chonanga, and the Ngarawi, all close together, and the intervening country is particularly suited to the Reed-buck. I have found it perhaps in greatest numbers on the vast swampy plains at the foot of the Wa-kinga Mountains, between Kisali in Mankendya's country and Kisako inMapweri's to the northwest of the Lake; south of that, again, in the Songwi and Insesi country, and indeed everywhere between that and the Rikuru River, some three miles north of Karouga's. But the Reed-buck are so generally met with throughout ail Nyasa-land that really it seems needless to give any localities. I should say that the Reed-buck is more wary than the Water-buck, at least they are certainly more difficult to stalk, and this is mainly due to their liking for bare open country; as a rule, they are found singly or in pairs, but I have occasionally come across as many as four or even six together in one place. In their habits they are decidedly local, and day after day the same animals can be found in the same spot; they are particularly partial to clean bare sandy patches in open plains, well away from cover, and here, like the " Insa," a small reddish-coloured Antelope, they resort and stand about day after day for weeks together, as may be seen from the piles of droppings that accumulate. When alarmed they give vent to shrill screams-Whew ! Whew!-and bound off kicking up their hind legs and tossing their tails like rabbits; their tails are thick and bushy and, being white on the underside, present a striking appearance when their owners are making off in the grey dusk of evening or very early morning. They have a strong scent, but their venison, to my thinking, is better than any except that of the " Impala " or Eland ; as a rule, too, it carries more fat than any other, unless occasionally an Eland. 3. OREOTRAGUS SALTATOR. The Klip-springer, " Chinkoma " of the Nyasa tribes, is commonly met with in rough mountainous country, and occasionally where there are no other Antelopes. On the West Coast, on Chombi and all along the Apoka Mountains I have found them plentiful, especially in the dry rocky hills pRoc. Z O O L . Soc-1890, No. XLIV. 44 |