| OCR Text |
Show 282 MR. T. E. BUCKLEY ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL [Mar. 7, 5. EQUUS MONTANUS. (The Zebra.) This species is said still to occur in the Hottentot Mountains near Cape-town; but it was not observed by us, nor did we see a skin during the time we were in Africa; however, as we did not ascend any mountains, where alone they are said to be found, we had no opportunity of judging whether or not they were rare. 6. EQUUS BURCHELLII. (Burchell's Zebra.) One of the commonest animals throughout South Africa, more especially in the wooded parts. A few years ago it was equally common on the plains even in the north of Natal, but now has either been shot out or driven back by the hunters. This is the Quagga par excellence of South-African sportsmen, by whom it is killed, both for its skin, which is now extremely valuable, and also for its meat, which is one of the most palatable morsels you can give to your native servants ; but there is a sort of smell about it which, with its dark colour and yellow fat, make it any thing but tempting to most white men. These animals are generally found, at least in the bush, in small parties of from eight to ten, frequently in company with Blue Wildebeests. The largest troop I ever saw contained probably about forty individuals. They are generally in good condition. This species, I believe, when possible, drinks every day ; I have seen them at the water at midday, and also coming down again to it in the evening. Their geographical range is wide: Speke and Grant found them north of Uganda ; and at the present time they are common animals in the Zulu country. Their note is a sort of bark, like the Dutch pronunciation of the word Quagga, whence, -most probably, came the name. They utter this constantly after being disturbed by a shot, especially if one is wounded and lags behind. Out of five of these animals shot in one herd, there were individuals showing every variation of colour and marking, from the yellow and chocolate stripes, to the pure black and white, the stripes in some ceasing above the hock, and in others being continued distinctly down to the hoof. I saw a young foal in September, the only one I remember to have seen. 7. GAZELLA EUCHORE. (The Springbuck.) Still common in Cape colony, and more or less abundant through South Africa up to the Zambesi ; it does not, however, occur in the Zulu and Amaswazi countries. Small herds of this species are generally seen mixed up with the Blesbocks and Wildebeests. When disturbed they go off in a series of bounds, opening the white line that extends halfway down the back to the rump, making the animals appear as if wholly white. When they come to a road, they usually spring right across it. Both male and female have horns, those of the latter, however, being much smaller and thinner. The calves are dropped about November, and are then cream-coloured. Gordon Cumming gives an interesting account of the periodical migrations of this Antelope in his work on South-African hunting. |
