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Show 758 MR. F. C SELOUS ON AFRICAN ANTELOPES. [June 21, base, with a spread of 18 inches. The largest pair I shot on the Chobe measured 1 ft. 8 in. in a straight line from point to base, with a spread of 1 ft. 4 in.; but the generality measure under 1 ft. 6 in. in length. 10. CERVICAPRA ARTJNDINACEA. (BietBok of the Dutch ; BeedBuck of the English ; Imzee-gee of the Amandebele; Ee-Bee-pa of the Makalakas ; Im-vwee of the Masubias ; Um-vwee of the Makubas ; BemBa of the Masaras.) The first place I met with this Antelope was on the banks of the Marico river, though I believe a few are still to be found here and there in the Transvaal. On the upper portions of the Tati, Shashi, Ramokwebani, and other tributaries of the Limpopo it is to be met with ; and in the Matabele and Mashuna countries on both slopes of the watershed it is very common along the banks of every river, except, of course, in the inhabited parts, where it has been exterminated. During a journey along the eastern bank of tbe Botletlie river in 1879, I did not see any Reedbucks; but on the Mababe, Tamalakan, Machabe, Sunta, and Chobe rivers I found them very numerous. On the tributaries of the Zambesi east of the Victoria Falls, such as the Pandamatenka, Daka, and Gwai, it is common, as also along the Nata, a river running from the Matabele country westwards into the great saltpan. In fact throughout central South Africa it is to be found wherever there are open grassy or reedy valleys intersected by a stream of water, or large reed vleys. On the Manica plateau, north of the Zambesi, Reedbucks were particularly common, and I have there seen as many as eight feeding in close proximity to one another. As a rule one seldom sees more than three or four together; and of these two are usually young. They are animals that go in pairs, and in this particular differ altogether from the Waterbuck, Leech wee, or Pookoo Antelopes, which consort together in herds, and amongst which thereisnotmorethanone male for every ten females. Although the Reedbuck is never found far from water, it always keeps on dry ground; and when chased I have never seen one take to boggy ground, but have noticed that rather than cross a narrow stream of shallow water they will make a long detour, often running the risk of being cut off thereby. When alarmed they give a shrill whistle, very similar to that emitted by the Chamois. The longest pair of Reedbuck horns that I have ever seen measured 16 inches along the curve ; and I have shot two specimens myself whose horns measuredl5 inches. The ordinary length is from 12 to 13 inches. 11. COBUS ELLIPSIPRYMNUS. {Kring-g&at of the Dutch ; JVaterBuch of the English ; Tumoga of the Bechuanas; Sidumuga of the Amandebele ; Ee-tumuha of the Makalakas ; Ee-kulo of the Masubias ; UmkulamdumBo of the Makubas ; Mukulo of the Batongas ; Gwelung-gwelee of the Masaras.) The Waterbuck is still found on the upper Limpopo and its tributaries, such as the Shashi, Tati, and Ramokwebani, in herds of from |
