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Show 360 DR. PERCY RENDALL ON THE [May 7, commonly we found them in company with Blue Wildebeeste and Burchell's Zebra. Their flesh is excellent eating, and formed our staple food. They have a curious habit of stamping with their feet; the peculiar meaning of this w e were unable to settle: their alarm-note, for want of a better term, may be described as a whistle. In this part of the country you always get the smaller form, described as a separate species by M r . Oldfield Thomas-perhaps, as it is wooded, " thorn veldt " country. Sometimes w e found white patches on the hocks, and in one instance a black patch on the snowy-white chest between the fore legs. W h e n frightened by any sudden noise they made most prodigious bounds into the air, like a Springbuck ; and when it was not necessary to shoot them, I have derived great pleasure from these exhibitions of saltatory agility. THE REHBUCK. Pelea capreolus. Zulu: Iza. This antelope is extremely wary, and from the sentinels they post it is especially hard to approach, as they frequent the very highest ridges, which are destitute of cover. Their alarm-note is a sort of harsh cough, upon which all take flight. They still linger on the highest ridges of the Makongwa Range near Barberton. Their flesh is so constantly affected by a species of warble that it is practically uneatable. BLUE WILDEBEESTE. Connocheetes taurinus. Swazi: Inkonkone. Between the Sabi and Krokodil Rivers this animal exists in considerable numbers. It is often found associating with the Pallah, and also at times with Burchell's Zebra. It is very fond of making wallowing-places in soft and moist ground, where it kneels and rolls. Trees, such as mimosas, are selected as rubbing-posts, and its horns especially are often found to be much worn down by this constant process. A n old bull w e shot had actually exposed the core of his horns in this manner. When charging past you they have a very ferocious aspect, which their behaviour belies; they remind one of a small American Bison, the great disparity of height at tbe withers aud the sloping quarters, together with the mane, are responsible for this likeness. The flesh is uneatable. In a troop of this species, one possessed a pure white tail: a lion which we were following prevented us from shooting this interesting variety. (The White-tailed Gnu, Connocheetes gnu, is unknown in this part of the Transvaal.) The old bulls of this species, C. taurinus, are very often solitary, whereas the other adults of this species are gregarious, generally in small herds of about eight to twelve individuals. That curious odoriferous gland in the fore-foot of the animal seems to be a sexual characteristic. |
