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The sportsman in South Africa.The haunts

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THE

SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE SPORTSMAN
IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE HAUNTS, HABITS, DESCRIPTION,

AND THE PURSUIT OF ALL GAME, BOTH FUR AND FEATHER,
FOUND SOUTH OF THE ZAMBESI (INCLUDING THE
CAPE COLONY, TRANSVAAL, BECHUANALAND, NATAL, AND
DAMARALAND), AT THE PRESENT DAY, WITH BRIEF
NOTICES OF THE BEST KNOWN FRESH AND
SALT-WATER FISH.

BY

JAMES A. NICOLLS, F.R.GS.,, F.ZS.,

AND

WILLIAM EGLINGTON.

(All Rights Reserved].

LONDON :

THE BRITISH AND COLONIAL PUBLICATIONS CO.,
53 CARTER LANE, DOCTORS COMMONS, E.C.,
AND

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT, & CO., Lp.
PATERNOSTER ROW.

1892.
ip 8

PREPACE.

1 is always difficult for an author who claims no literary merit

for his work, and who is fully aware of his imperfections in this
respect, to find a just excuse for venturing into print; and if
it were not for the hope that the information gathered during ten
years of close observation in South Africa and its Interior, however
crudely it may be laid before our readers, will prove of real assist-
ance, not only to the Sportsman in pursuit of game, but also to the
less advanced Students of the Natural History of that country, we
should never have undertaken the task which is set forth in
the following pages. An additional reason for intruding the result
of .our experiences upon the attention of the public is the surprise
which has always been evinced by those who take an interest in
the-rich sport which may still be had in the tropical portion of the
Continent herein treated of, that no attempt has hitherto been
made to bring within the compass of a compact and portable volume
complete particulars of the game ranging over the districts to which
we have referred.

Care has been taken to avoid the scientific vocabulary employed
in all technical works treating of similar subjects, and in this respect
it is hoped that the descriptions of the different animals, birds, and
fish will be sufficiently accurate and plainly defined to enable the
ordinary reader to recognise without difficulty the varieties as they
are referred to.

We have also endeavoured to set forth in a simple and practical
way (avoiding unnecessary prolixity by a narration of actual experi-
ences) the methods adopted in the discovery and the pursuit of every
description of animal indigenous to that portion of Africa South of
the Zambesi which is likely to show sport, including (not, it must
be confessed, without considerable difficulty) particulars of the whole
of the Game Birds found in that part of the Continent, together
with some of its Fresh-water and Sea Fish, as well as a complete list
of all known species and varieties of Antelopes, coupled with pic-

vi. PREFACE,

torial representations of their appearance, their proper names, and
the districts in which they are to be found. So far as we have
been able to do so, the Colonial, Boer, and Native terms for most of
the subjects referred to in the volume are also given.

We therefore beg leave to hope that the present work will be of
value to the Sportsman, as it may, in some instances, be acceptable
to the literature of Zoology.

Our thanks are specially due to Dr. P. L. Sclater, F.RS.,
Secretary of the Zoological Society, for the interest he has taken in
the work, and for assistance rendered, as also to Dr. A. Ginther,
F.R.S., Mr. Oldfield Thomas, F.Z.S., and Dr. R. Bowdler Sharpe,
M.A., F.L.S., of the Natural History Section of the British Museum;
and we should be ungrateful were we not to acknowledge the
services of Miss Hilda Robinson, whose faithful delineation of the
whole of the antelopes and most of the game birds, will, we trust,
be appreciated by our readers themselves. We are indebted for.
portraits of some of the Francolins and Wild Duck to Sir A. Smith’s
“ Zoology of South Africa.”

THE AUTHORS,

LONDON :
September, 1892.

CONTENTS.

Hints aBpout EQUIPMENT, ETC.

Some REMARKS ON THE PRESERVATION OF GAME

Tue GAME Laws AND CLOSE SEASONS OF THE CAPE COLONY,
BECHUANALAND, AND THE TRANSVAAL

SomE REMARKS ON THE SHOOTING HoRSE AND THE HUNTING
or LarGE GAME

ANTELOPES <

OTHER GAME

BEASTS OF PREY

GENERAL REMARKS ON GAME BIRDS

FRANCOLINS

QUAIL -

GuINEA Fow.L

SaND GROUSE

BusTARDS

DIKKOPS

Witp FowL

SNIPE

THE OsTRICH

Some REMARKS ON THE FISH OF THE COUNTRY

FRESH-WATER FISH

SALT-WATER FISH

14-16

17-23
24-58
58-79
80-96
97-99
100-106
106-108
108-110
110-112
112-120
120-121
121-129
130
131-132
133-135
135-140
140-142

ILLUSTRATIONS.

So eg is
ANTELOPES. FRANCOLINS.

Fig. Plate. Fig. Plate.
Blessbuck 9 Ill. Brown Red-necked » 49 XI.
Bluebuck Il Iv. Cape Red-necked 43 Frntsp.
Bontebuck 27° ‘VIL Coqui ‘ « 5a XI.
Buffalo 10 Ill. Natal « 53 XI.
Bushbuck . 16 Ne Noisy ; 42 Frntsp.
Duiker ; : - 26 VIL Orange River 50) sOXL
Eland . : 21 VL Pileated x» $2 XI.
Gemsbuck . 17 v. Redwing . ‘ 48 XI.
Grysbuck .. 29 ~~ ‘VIII. SAND GROUSE.
Hartebeest - + I3 > IV. | Yellow-throated (female) 54 — XI.
Hartebeest (Lichtenstein) 14 tv. Yellow-throated(male). 55 XI.
Inyala . : . 28 VIL Variegated. . 56 x1.
Klipspringer . » 18 Vv.
Ruedes se . GUINEA FOWL.

Crowned or Common . 58 XI.
ects y no hae Pucheran’s . 2 57 NI
Natal Redbuck yD I: :

Ken Verreaux’s. - 59 XI.
Oribi 15 Xi
Palla : : « 3 I. barstes
Pookoo . 0. 30. VEEL Gat aaa
Red Rhébuck 4 L BUSTARDS.
Reedbuck . . 23 VIL Black-bellied Khoorhan 39 Frntsp.
Rhébuck 24 VIL. Blue Khoorhan 4O0
Roan Antelope 7 IL. Bush Khoorhan 44
Sable Antelope 5 I. Stanley . vi ar
Sitatunga 31 svat. Vaal Khoorhan 45 5y
Springbuck . . 20 VL White-quilled Khoorhan 38 _,,
Steinbuck . 6 II. DIKKOP.
Triangulated-horned page 57. African Thick-knee . 46
Tsessebe : Ig Vi WaT OWL,
Waterhick ‘ a tYs Black Duck . 6I XI.
Willlefeest (Black) - 25 VIL Cape Shoveller © BRO cree
Wildehesst( Blue) - 8 mL. Crimson-billed Teal . 62 XID

OTHER ANIMALS. Hottentot Teal. . 65 XIL.

Burchell’s Zebra. 34 x. Knob-billed Duck — 64 XII.
Rhinoceros (Black) 35 x. Maccoa Duck . 67 XIL
Rhinoceros (White) 330OIX. Spur-winged Goose 63 XII.
Wart Hog 32 IX. Yellow-billed Téal . 60 XII.
Zebra,Common . . 36 x. Yellow-necked Widgeon 68 XII.

Frontispiece.

Fig. 38.—THe WHuITE-QUuILLED
KHooruan (Ot/s afroides).

Potaass

Fig. 39.—T He BLack-BELLIED
KHOORHAN (O. melanogaster).

Fiy. 40.—Tue Bue KHoornan
(O. cerulescens).

Fig. 43.—Tue Caps Rep-NECKED FRANCOLIN

Fig. 42.—THe Noisy lf RANCOLIN : ( )
(Pternistes nudicollis).

(Francolinus clamator).
Fig. 41.—TuHe SranLey BusTarD
(O. caffra).

a

Fig. 47—THE GREAT SNIPE Fig. 45 —TuHe Vaal KHOooRHAN

Vig. 44—Tue Bus KHoorHan
wii : (O. scolopacea).

(O. ruficrista). (Gallinago major).

THE

SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Hints About Equipment, etc.

S a general rule the average traveller or hunter bound for a
trip into the Interior of Africa always leaves England encum-
bered with a vast amount of unnecessary baggage and “ knick-
knacks,” most of which he is ultimately obliged to leave at some
of the frontier towns as he gradually advances Northwards and
discovers their utter worthlessness. A practical sportsman wants an
outfit suitable for wear and tear and not for show, carrying with
him not a single article that he is unable to find a use for, solidity
and completeness of equipment being as imperative as lightness of
freight. He cannot be too forcibly reminded that the “roads” he
will traverse are hardly in keeping with those to which he is accus-
tomed in England,-and if his wagon is too heavily loaded with
unnecessaries, the more difficulties will he have to contend with,
and, in consequence, the less successful will the trip prove.

All ordinary articles of wear, with one or two exceptions, can be
obtained almost as cheap in Cape Town, Kimberley, Natal, Mafeking,
and other centres, allowance in extra cost, of course, being made for
the distance from England. It would, however, be advisable before
leaving to be supplied with one good light semi-military saddle,
furnished with large D's for the purpose of carrying dead game, and
made of the best pig-skin, as well as some strong brown leather
riding boots. The “Field” pattern will suit admirably, but care
must be taken that those used for walking purposes are well studded
with nails. Two or three pairs of well made loose riding breeches,
of a material strong enough to withstand the assaults of the
numerous varieties of thorns which everywhere flourish so pro-
fusely in the Interior, should also be taken. Buckskin, although
strong enough for the purpose, is almost unbearable in the hot

A

2 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

weather. For lightness, combined with great strength, nothing has
been found to equal the material known as Gabardine, manufactured
by Burberry, of Basingstoke. This substance deserves special re-
commendation, as one suit will generally outlast three or four made
of other and perhaps more expensive cloth. The underclothing
should be of pure wool, well shrunken, and the sleeping suits made
as warm as possible, as the South African winter nights are bitterly
cold. A tent is a luxury which, although taking up a great deal of
room in a wagon, will be found most convenient when camping in
one place for any length of time, while the possession of waterproof
sheets is an absolute necessity. Some of these, if first-class articles,
and if used with ordinary care, will generally fetch a good price in
the country at the termination of a trip.

Without attempting to mention the many varied objects of
interest which the ordinary traveller in South Africa is certain to
meet with, and the never-ending pleasures obtained by the use of a
camera as an effective agent of record, it will be found of the greatest
service to the sportsman in affording him a perfect means of rapidly
and faithfully depicting strange experiences, sketches of animal life
in their natural state, and trophies of the chase as they actually fell,
scenes only to be observed in the depth of the wilderness far removed
from the haunts of men, and which, although at the moment practi-
cally forgotten, may perhaps in after years prove an unfailing source
of pleasure in recalling to the imagination the thrilling incidents
of a hunter’s life. Portability and simplicity of manipulation are
very strong recommendations for the use of the kodak, and a
succession of views for after development may be obtained from one
without any actual photographic knowledge or experience whatever,
it generally being a very accommodating instrument indeed in the
hands of the raw amateur. Experience, however, has for many
reasons proved that it cannot always be relied upon, particularly in a
very hot climate; and, unfortunately, even the most perfect instru-
ments are at times, and for the most unaccountable reasons, liable to
get out of order. In referring to this one specially, it may be
mentioned that up to the moment of development one remains
entirely in the dark as to whether matters have been working in a
proper groove or not. After a wagon journey of hundreds of miles,
and perhaps of many months’ careful work with a kodak on the
most interesting subjects, it is extremely aggravating to find, on the
return to civilisation and when the films are developed, that you

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 3

are not the possessor of a single picture, to obtain which you encoun-
tered so much difficulty and perhaps danger.

Although far more bulky and cumbersome, ordinary slow glass
plates are far preferable to any description of film now in the
market, as we have found them to be less affected by the heat.
Their use certainly entails a considerable amount of trouble, while
the necessary folding dark box for changing the plates takes up a
certain amount of wagon room. However, the successful results
obtained will go far to outweigh the additional inconvenience, and,
speaking from experience, we recommend that the plates should be
developed and fixed whenever suitable opportunity presents itself,
and safely stowed away in properly constructed receptacles. In this
manner, if a mistake be made in exposure on photographing some
special object of interest, the subject may again be retaken, and a
good printing negative obtained; in fact, you have always got an
opportunity of determining the quality of your work as you yo
along. It is a mistake to believe that, when the word “ develop-
ment” is mentioned, vast supplies of chemicals are necessary ad-
juncts, as half-a-dozen small bottles of mixed solution of hydroki-
none, together with an ounce of bromide of potassium and about
three or four pounds of hyposulphate of soda, will develop hundreds
of plates. We have used what is called a 64 by 43 twin hand
camera with double lens, slung by a shoulder band, by which
accurate focussing can be conducted without the aid of the pro-
voking and unwieldly tripod, and after months and months banging
about in a wagon, the instrument (a brass bound one by Meagher, of
Southampton Row) has come out of the ordeal almost as good as
new. In the wonderfully clear atmosphere of South Africa, and
especially on a cloudless day, the use of an ordinary slow plate with
a rapid rectilinear lens, giving an exposure of one second in the
open, will generally be found correct.

There are so many eminent manufacturers in the field, and
modern firearms have of late attained to such a degree of perfection,
that a choice of weapons is a difficult matter. The adoption of
”’ bullets in recent years seems to have grown into a
certain amount of disrepute, the general complaint being. (par-
ticularly as regards the larger antelopes) that they are inclined to
expand or break up too quickly, without having attained a sufh-
cient degree of penetration ; while for this reason the employment
of such against the great pachyderms is simply useless. Then,

A2

“express

4 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

again, in encounters with thin-skinned and dangerous beasts, such
as the Lion or Leopard, solid missiles are to be deprecated except
when used in the most skilful hands, as, although the penetration
obtained from them may be enormous, where the vital parts have
been uninjured the resulting shock to the system is exceedingly
small, and instanczs almost daily occur in which these animals have
been found capable of inflicting deadly injuries, although perforated
with many solid bullets. The weapon most desired is one capable
of discharging either the expanding or solid ball with equal accuracy,
and in this connection we mention the names of Gibbs, of Bristol,
and Rigby and Sons, of London and Dublin, as the rifles made by
these firms have been in constant use, and have given more general
satisfaction—at least, in South Africa—than those of any other
manufacture. The Farquharson-Metford can be strongly and fairly
recommended, not alone on account of its being good enough
for every description of game, but because the action is very simple
and can easily be cleaned, while.the exploded cartridges are not
liable to become jammed, which is a very aggravating defect in
the sporting Martini. In specially referring to this rifle, our opinion
coincides with that of Mr. F. C. Selous, perhaps the greatest living
authority on such subjects, and a gentleman who has repeatedly
brought down bull Elephants with single bullets fired from a weapon
of this pattern.

Unless bent on hunting in the low countries on the East Coast,
in some portions of which the large pachyderms are still very
numerous, the acquisition of a battery of heavy bore rifles would
prove quite a useless appendage. An ordinary plain shot gun, made
with strong cylinder barrels, can be obtained from any good manu-
-facturer at a much smaller price, and which will shoot spherical
bullets with an equal degree of accuracy and effect as the more
expensive articles advertised under different names and as combined
shot and ball guns.; For feathered game and small antelopes, a plain
12-bore, with the right barrel cylinder (to take ball if necessary) and
the left full choke, will be found good enough to all intents and
purposes. Before purchasing a Martini sporting rifle, repeated trials
should be made as to whether the weapon is capable of properly
extracting the exploded Government Boxer pattern cases, as those
which are solid-drawn are not so easily obtained in the event of
their running short.

Experience has constantly proved that: the wood-work attached

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 5

to guns is liable to become exceedingly brittle, and breakages of
such continually occur in a hot and dry-climate. These mishaps,
as a rule, invariably take place at inopportune moments, and when
far removed from the aid of an expert the smashing of a stock is
a most unfortunate and provoking circumstance, the only make-shift
at such times being a binding of wet rem (raw hide), but it is always
a most clumsy one. To prevent a disaster of this nature, the grips
of all guns should be plated as far as possible with metal, and
although this may increase their weight to a certain extent, this
inconvenience will be found to be slight in comparison with the
sense of security from breakage afforded by the addition. The fore-
sights of all rifles should be made of ivory, white mother-of-pearl, or
crocodile teeth, the two latter being preferable to the former, as
they are not so liable to become discoloured.

The comfort of an expedition into the Interior depends in a
great measure on the acquisition of sound tent wagons, as well as
even-pulling oxen to draw them, but it would be invidious to men-
tion any particular maker. To avoid being imposed upon with
some highly-painted but useless green wood conveyance, the intend-
ing purchaser should unreservedly place himself in the hands of
some well-known and respectable firm capable of understanding
exactly his requirements, such as Messrs. James Lawrence and Co.
and T. J. Poole and Co., both of Kimberley, and Messrs. J. L. Green
and Co., of Mafeking, all of whom bear an excellent reputation, and
appear to have given general satisfaction in this respect. In addi-
tion to the ordinary furniture of a tent wagon, some strong netted
pockets or ‘“‘holdalls”’ attached to the ribs inside will be found most
serviceable, as also a bag made out of a wet ox hide and suspended
underneath the bed planks for the purpose of carrying pots, pans,
etc., while a cover of the same substance will prevent the canvas of
the fore part of the tent from being torn by the thorn-bushes. The
spans of oxen to each wagon should contain eighteen thoroughly
trained cattle, if possible ‘salted,’ z.e., recovered from lung dis-
temper, and averaging from four to seven years of age, but not
older.

On making a start, it is quite sufficient to inspan fourteen of the
number, the remaining four being driven loose and used when
necessary to replace the weary or footsore in the yoke as occasion
requires. Good ¢re# (draught) oxen ought to be purchased at from
£5 to £7 each, but the prices vary very much according to the

6 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

supply, but seldom, however, exceed £10. On no account should
they be allowed to ¢rek during the heat of the day in deep sand
when the load is heavy, or where a supply of water cannot abso-
lutely be depended upon, it being preferable to make up lost time
by constant progress through the entire night ; and where a journey
of many months is in contemplation, the wagon should not be
loaded with a burden exceeding about 3,500 lbs. in weight.

Only second in importance to the acquisition of a sound wagon
and even-pulling spans of oxen, is the necessity of obtaining an
efficient and sober driver (who is generally a difficult individual to
find amongst, perhaps, the most drunken crew in the world), for no
matter how good the cattle may be, a bad and harsh driver will
speedily render them almost useless for draught purposes. A good
driver will always command his team with his voice, while a bad
one will at once be distinguished by the frequent and wholly un-
necessary use of the whip. Provided the man so engaged has a
good reputation, and can be relied upon, the inexperienced will do
well to leave all questions as to distances and places of outspan
to him.

For the sake of picking up an occasional mouthful of grass, and
also to save the expense of additional ‘“boys’” (native servants)
wages, some travellers in South Africa permit their shooting horses
to be driven together loose alongside the wagon. Unless where it
becomes absolutely necessary to save this expense, the practice
should not be allowed, as, owing to the fact that one animal always
tries to keep in advance of the others, they become by degrees
more difficult to catch and halter, and, from continued kicking
and biting, generally manage to develop some latent vice. Where
possible, there should be a separate servant told off to lead each
couple of horses, and it is only when the wagon has been brought
to a standstill that they should all be knee-haltered and allowed
out together to graze. Should the supply of mealies (maize) for
the morning and evening feed run short, sufficient grass should
be cut with a sickle to last the horses when tied up to the wagon
during the night. (See Remarks on the Shooting Horse.)

The question as to the proper preservation of the trophies of the
chase is far too extensive to allow of more than a passing observation, and
it will be sufficient to mention that the prevalent mistake made in
skinning the heads of animals is to cut them off too close behind the
ears, thereby imposing a serious obstacle against their being properly

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 7

mounted by even the most artistic hands ; while such work, although
of an unpleasant character, should never be placed in the hands of
native servants until they have been first thoroughly inducted into
what is required by their white masters. Full information on this
very important subject to the sportsman can be obtained in that
extremely useful handbook, ‘The Practical Collecting and Pre-
serving of Trophies,” by Rowland Ward, F.Z.S.; and as regards the
setting up of the same, the reputation of the firm of which that
gentleman is the head is so deservedly high as to require no further
comment, while the natural and artistic work of Gerrard, of Camden
Town, can also be mentioned.

A special danger against which travellers cannot be too strongly
warned is the frequent use of spirituous liquors, particularly that
villanous compound called Cape brandy, but otherwise known as
“Cape smoke,” and which invariably proves fatal if taken regularly
or in quantities. It possesses the reputation of beating the record
of all African fevers and diseases by cutting short the career of
many a promising young fellow. Attention should also be called
to the inordinate use of purgative medicines, which persons new to
the country invariably indulge in, it being necessary to carefully
avoid, except in cases of great necessity, all opening medicines; but
where such are absolutely required, castor oil is much to be pre-
ferred. The habit of taking quinine as a fever preventive has
the effect of rendering the drug quite useless when a real attack
comes on, and great caution should be exercised when anti-pryrine
is resorted to.

Remarks on the South African Game Laws and the

Preservation of Game.

ANYONE perusing the very numerous enactments referring to
the preservation of the different sorts of game of the Cape
Colony itself, might be led to suppose that many species of the
larger antelope still remained there, or at least in tolerably fair
numbers, and only required special and stringent laws for their
safe protection. It is scarcely worth arguing whether these enact-
ments proved inoperative or were framed too late in the day to
have a salutary effect. However, we cannot now be blind to the
fact—and it is sad for those who take an interest in such an im-
portant subject to relate—that, with the exception of a few wild
Elephants and perhaps Buffalo, which still eke out a harried exist-
ence, although protected in the Colonial Governments’ forests, and
also an odd troop of Zebras, Koodoos, and probably Hartebeest,
which serve as ornaments in a semi-domesticated condition on
some of the out-of-the-way farms, the remnant of the noble game
which once roamed in countless thousands all over the country, and
for which Southern Africa was pre-eminently renowned, has been by
wanton and ruthless slaughter decimated or driven far beyond the
outermost boundaries of civilisation into the pathless veldt of the
Kalahari, or the inhospitable territories of the aborigines of the
Interior.

Protected by the difficulty of access to these solitudes, the Giraffe,
Eland, and other varieties of the most beautiful and interesting
animals in the world, multiplied rapidly and feared no inside foe
except the inevitable assaults of wild beasts, the occasional bullet
from the passing traveller and trader in search of the necessary
supply of fresh meat, the insidious pitfall or easily avoided attack
from the natives on foot, armed only with the assegai or loud
resounding but little effective “ babyjan bow,” which is a kind of
converted Queen Anne. Notwithstanding the rapid advance of
civilisation northward, the colonisation of British Bechuanaland,
and the opening up within the past few years of large portions of

Oy
aH

2.—THe Nata REDBUCK.

x Cephalolophus natalensis ).

f
Fic. 1.—Tue Koongo (Sétrepsiceros kudu).

I

Fig. 4.—Tue Rep Rugsuck (Cervicapra lalandit).

Fig. 3.—Tue Paria (Zipyceros melanipus Ds

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 9

the territories of Zambesia, game could scarcely have decreased
with such rapidity in the Interior had not a short-sighted Govern-
ment at the Cape permitted the indiscriminate importation of the
most approved and highly accurate patterns of modern breech-
loading rifles, and the distribution of vast supplies of ammunition
amongst the different native tribes. Although the present authori-
ties have at last set their foot on this—in every respect—pernicious
system, yet, in spite of the vigilance of the Bechuanaland Border
Police, guns and ammunition are still being conveyed across the
border from the Transvaal into Linchwe’s country, and the effect
of the previous weak line of policy remains to be deplored. The
different Bechuana tribes, when on their hunting forays, and pos-
sessing weapons of great accuracy, spare nothing in the way of
game, and old animals as well as their immature offspring equally
fell victims to their remorseless bullets. The prodigies of slaughter
may be conceived when it is stated on reliable authority that nearly
three hundred Giraffes have during the past two years been exter-
minated in the ’Ngami country merely for the sake of their hides.
It would, however, be unfair to leave the entire blame for this
deplorable state of affairs on the shoulders of the aborigines, when
it is to be remembered that prior to Sir Charles Warren’s expedi-
tion for the pacification of the “ Land of Goschen,” and the re-
moval of the encroaching Boers from the Rooi Grond, thousands of
Springbuck, large troops of Blessbuck, and numerous Hartebeest
and Wildebeest roamed on the vast plains of the country now known
as British Bechuanaland. Warren’s victory was achieved blood-
lessly, so far as human life was concerned, but his advancing
squadrons of mounted infantry found plenty of use for their cart-
ridges, and other targets for a mark besides the bodies of the
offending filibusters; and at the present time the presence of a
single Springbuck, not to speak of larger game, within the boun-
daries of one of the most recent acquisitions to British territory
would be looked upon as an event worthy of record.

Although the voor-trekkers (pioneers) of the South African Re-
public have well deserved the unenviable notoriety accorded them
of being, equally with the natives, the most ruthless of game de-
stroyers, they now take special precautions to carry on their depre-
dations outside the limits of their own country; and it will appear
strange to the sport-loving Englishman when he is informed
that nowhere in the settled and civilised portions of South Africa

fe) THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

are numerous species of the larger antelope so plentiful as in the
Transvaal. The Chartered Company of British South Africa have,
by the enactment of stringent laws, attempted to stem the tide of
slaughter, but owing to the vast extent of their territory, it is feared
that insurmountable difficulties will lie in their way to prevent them
being carried into effect. It was only when the very last of the
American bison stood a chance of being removed from the face of
the earth that the United States and Canadian Governments first
awakened to the necessity of doing something towards saving the
small remnant of these interesting animals from becoming totally
extinct.

The questions will now be asked, Is South Africa in a favourable
situation ? or is she careless of making some determined move of a
like nature before the arrival of the inevitable day when it becomes
too late? The first question is one that can readily be answered;
the second must for the present rest in abeyance.

As specially instanced in the case of Griqualand West, the
effectual enforcement of the game laws, and the gradual fencing in
of farms by their owners, coupled with the widespread growth of an
interest among the sporting inhabitants of that province regarding
the preservation of game, have within the last five or six years
led to an astonishing increase of Duikers and Steinbuck, as well
as some varieties of feathered game. The laudable results thus
obtained with a little trouble and at small expense will at least
have a lasting effect as regards the smaller gazelles, but if any-
thing of a like nature be attempted in South Africa on behalf of
the larger antelopes, it must be on a widely different scale.

Immediately West of the territories of the Bamanwaketse and
Bakwaina Bechuanas in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, there are
numberless thousands of square miles of the rolling, well-timbered
grass country of the Kalahari, unoccupied except by a few half-
starved families of Vaalpens and wandering Bushmen, whose sole
means of subsistence depends entirely on such edible roots as are
afforded by the soil, or the welcome but seldom obtained addition to
their frugal fare of the flesh of some animal of the chase. No
matter how valuable it may ultimately become for the purposes of
cattle ranching, it is improbable that this country—so unjustly
termed a “desert ’—will ever prove capable of supporting a popula-
tion of either white or black, owing to the great scarcity of surface
water, and although forming a portion of the dominions of the chiefs

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. II

at Kanya and Molopolole, it can scarcely be termed the true home
of any race of human beings. Undisturbed in the recesses of its
little-trodden solitudes, the Eland here attains a far greater size
than elsewhere on the African Continent, and it is the natural resort
for the Giraffe, the Gemsbuck, and the Wild Ostrich, while Harte-
beest, Wildebeest, and Roan Antelope, when unmolested, are capable
of thriving and multiplying in a marked degree.

If the world were searched from beginning to end, it would be
impossible to discover a locality possessing such natural advantages
as this portion of the Kalahari for the establishment of a great game
preserve, for this vast country has certainly not been created to serve
without any end for the benefit of mankind. As if specially ordained
by nature for such a purpose, it is so situated as to be far removed
from all highways, and contains an abundance of timber, sufficient to,
complete hundreds of miles of fence work,* while the necessary
water supply can be obtained without much difficulty by sinking on
the numerous limestone belts which intersect it. With a little tact
and straightforward dealing with the native chiefs, vast areas might
thus be acquired at a trifling cost. As matters now remain, it is
not beyond the range of probability that after the lapse of the next
twenty-five years, the discovery of the remains of some of the
larger African fauna will be looked upon with an almost similar
degree of interest and veneration as those of the extinct Dodo of
Madagascar.

The idea of the scheme here expressed may certainly appear
novel, but it is in every sense of the word thoroughly practicable,
and we can see no other method by which the successful preserva-
tion of South African game on a large scale can be attempted unless
by the formation of a gigantic preserve. If the spirit of enterprise
in the Cape Colony be so far dead to this important question, it is
quite possible that, of the vast number of gentlemen in England
who annually spend what may fairly be termed fortunes for the
sake of procuring a few heads of red deer on the Scottish preserves,
a number of true sportsmen are still left who would be capable and
willing to join in the promotion of such an endeavour as that
suggested.

It must not be forgotten that Cape Town can now be reached
from Southampton in the short space of sixteen days, and that by a

* The great mining district of Witwatersrandt derives its chief supply of timber for
shafting purposes from the Westwardly course of the Molopo River in the Kalahari.

12 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

further journey of four days by road and rail the traveller can easily
arrive at Mafeking, on the South-western confines of the Kalahari.
It would, therefore, be possible within a couple of years after the
establishment of such a preserve, for a limited number of sportsmen
to be in a position to visit the “desert,” and there obtain several
specimens of the larger antelopes, and still leave plenty for the
future.

The chief enemy with which the larger fauna have to contend
is undoubtedly man, but with regard to the feathered game, in
addition to the same insatiable opponent there are many other and
not less merciless adversaries which Nature has ordained as agents
for their destruction. Travellers have often expressed surprise that
in remote places, and where all the circumstances and surroundings
appear to be favourable for their reproduction, game birds do not
show any sign of an increase. This, however, can hardly be won-
dered at when it is remembered that, in addition to the smaller
felide and the numerous varieties of viverra (and notably those of
the mongoose tribe), there are no less than fifty-two species of
hawks and eagles, as well as thirteen different kinds of owls, which
are engaged in waging incessant war against them. The preserva-
tion of game in England would never have been brought to its
present state of perfection if the landed proprietors (and, in some
instances, Government legislation) had not adopted effectual means
for the eradication of those predatory birds, weasels, stoats, etc.,
which are common enemies to the preserves. It would be un-
reasonable to suppose that any Government would encourage the
wholesale destruction of the mongoose, owing to its snake-killing
propensities, but even the most enthusiastic ornithologist could
scarcely object to a thinning off of the extraordinary numbers of the
birds of prey which are a constant pest throughout South Africa.
We therefore venture to suggest a remedy, which may be found to
answer to this desire. Let the respective Governments at the Cape
offer a small inducement, by way of reward, for the production
before any magistrate, field-cornet, or other person in authority, of
the eggs or the complete skin of any of the undermentioned. This
plan will appeal to the proverbial cupidity of the natives, and, at a
fractional cost to the Governments, should result in a gradual
diminution of the evil complained of. The appended list is collated
from Messrs. Layard and Sharpe’s “ Birds of South Africa,” and those
marked * should be specially singled out for destruction :—

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 13

The Secretary Birdt (Serpentarius secretarius*), the Banded
Gymnogene (Polyborotdes typicus), Montagu’s Harrier (Circus py-
geargus), Black Harrier (C. maurus), Pallid Harrier (C. macrurus),
South African Marsh Harrier (C. rantvorus), Marsh Harrier (C. @ru-
gmosus), Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus*), Many -banded
Goshawk (VW. polyzonus), Red-faced Goshawk (MM. gabar), Black
Goshawk (17. nzger), African Goshawk (Astur tachiro), Many-banded
Goshawk (A. polyzonozdes), African Sparrow Hawk (Acciprter riufi-
ventris”), Little Sparrow Hawk (4. mznullus), Black and White
Sparrow Hawk (4. melanoleucus*), Jackal Buzzard (Buteo jakal),
Augur Buzzard (B. augur), Salvadori’s Buzzard (B. auguralis),
Rufous Buzzard (2. desertorum), Long-legged Buzzard (B. ferox),
Southern Laemmergeier (Gypaetus osstfragus), Verraux’s Eagle
(Aguila verrauxi*), Tawny Eagle (4. rasax*), Wahlberg’s Eagle
(4. wahibergr), Booted Eagle (Nrsactus pennatus), African Hawk
Eagle (NV. spilogaster*), Crowned Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus corona-
tus"), Martial Hawk Eagle (S. de/dicosus*), African Crested Eagle
(Lophoaetus occrpitalis*), African Buzzard Eagle (Asturznula mono-
grammica), Black-breasted Harrier Eagle (Circaetus cinereus), Banded
Harrier Eagle (C. fasciolatus), Vulturine Sea Eagle (Gypohierax
angolensis), Africa Sea Eagle (Az/iaztus vocifer), Bateleur Eagle
(Helotarsus ecaudatus), Yellow-billed Kite (Af/vus egyptius), Black
Kite (AZ. korschun), Black-shouldered Kite (2lanus ceruleus), Euro-
pean Pern (Pernts apivorus), Verraux's Cuckoo Falcon (Baza ver-
vauxt), African Falconet (Polohierax semttorquatus), Perigrine
Falcon (falco communis), South African Peregrine Falcon (7,
minor*), South African Lanner Falcon (/. dzarmicus*), Hobby (F,
subjuteo), African Hobby (£7 cuvzerz), African Rufous-necked Falcon
(F. rujicollis), Common Kestrel (Cerchners trnnunculus), South African
Kestrel (C. rupzcola*), Large South African Kestrel (C. rupzcloides*),
Lesser Kestrel (C. zawmannanz), Red-footed Kestrel (C. verpertina),
Eastern Red-footed Kestrel (C. amurensrs), Grey Kestrel (C. arde-
staca), Dickerson's Kestrel (C. dickersonz’), and the Osprey (Paudzon
haliactus).

+ The Cape House of Assembly has just passed a Game Law Amendment Bill, which
makes it a penal offence to kill the Secretary Bird. See page 9.

The Game Laws and Close Seasons of the Cape Colony,

Bechuanaland, and the Transvaal.

Tue close seasons for the different classes of game vary con-
siderably in each district, and are constantly being altered and
revoked by proclamation, that for these reasons it is almost impos-
sible for the appended list to be absolutely accurate, but it is sufh-
ciently so to give the sportsman a general idea of the periods in
which game may be pursued without incurring penalties.

“Game” is thus defined in the Act :—Paauw, Khoorhan, Guinea
Fowl, “Pheasant,” “ Partridge,” Grouse, Dikkop, Elephant, Giraffe,
Hippopotamus, Buffalo, Zebra, Quagga, Burchell’s Zebra, the whole
of the antelopes (with the exception of Springbucks actually migrat-
ing), Hares, and Rabbits. The Governor is empowered to pro-
claim a close season for the several districts of the Colony, with
penalties for shooting, killing, capturing, or selling game without a
licence. A game licence does not authorise any person to pursue,
shoot, kill, destroy, or capture any Elephant, Hippopotamus, Buffalo,
Eland, Koodoo, Hartebeest, Bontebuck, Blessbuck, Gemsbuck, Reed
buck, Zebra, Quagga, Burchell’s Zebra, or any Gnu or Wildebeest of
either variety, without having obtained a special permission to that
effect from the Governor, under a penalty not exceeding {10 for
each offence, or imprisonment with or without hard labour for any
term not exceeding one month in default. Landed proprietors,
however, and persons authorised by them, may, without such special
permission, shoot Elephants upon the property of such landed pro-
prietors. The possession of a game licence does not warrant the
pursuit of game on private lands without permission of the owner.
The close seasons during which no one shall be allowed to kill game
are as follows :—

(a) In the districts of Bredasdorp, Caledon, Cape, Clanwilliam,
Ladismith, Malmesbury, Mossel Bay, Murraysburg, Oudtshoorn,
Paarl, Piquetberg, Riversdale, Robertson, Simon’s Town, Somer-
set East, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Uitenhage, Uniondale, and
Willowmore, from the Ist July to 31st January in‘each year.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 15

(4) In the districts of Aberdeen, Albany, Albert, Alexandria, Ali-
wal North, Barkly East, Bathurst, Beaufort West, Bedford, Calvinia,
Carnarvon, Cathcart, Ceres, Colesburg, Cradock, East London, Fort
Beaufort, Fraserburg, Glen Grey, Graaf-Reinet, Hanover, Herschel,
Hope Town, King Williamstown, Knysna, Komgha, Middelburg,
Namaqualand, Peddie, Philipstown, Port Elizabeth, Port Nolloth,
Prieska, Prince Albert, Queenstown, Richmond, Somerset East,
Steynsburg, Stockenstrom, Stutterheim, Sutherland, Tarka, Tulbagh,
Victoria East, Victoria West, Wodehouse, and Worcester, from
the rst August to 31st January in each year.

(c) In the districts of Kimberley, Barkly West, Hay, Herbert, and
in the territories known as the Transkei, Galekaland, and Griqua-
land East, from the 16th August to 15th March in each year.

In addition to the foregoing, the undermentioned animals are
prohibited from being killed in the following districts :—

ALIwAL NortH: Rhébuck, Steinbuck, and Springbuck, until October rst,
1893.

Barkvy East: All kinds of buck until June rst, 1894.

BarkLty Wesr: Ostriches, May 25th, 1893; Hartebeest, Wildebeest,
Blessbuck, Eland, Gemsbuck, and Reedbuck, October Ist, 1893.

BepForpD: Bushbuck, Duiker, Steinbuck, March Ist, 1894; Bushbuck and
Rhébuck, February rst, 1893.

CaLepon: All kinds of buck, February ist, 1893.

CaLvinia: Gemsbuck and Hartebeest, June rst, 1894; Duiker, Steinbuck,
Rheébuck, and Klipspringer, August Ist, 1894.

Care: Rheébuck, June Ist, 1893.

East Lonpon: Bushbuck ewes, June ist, 1894; Koodoos, April 19th, 1894.

Forr Beaurort: All kinds of game, May roth, 1894.

GEORGE: Rhébuck, October Ist, 1893.

GRIQUALAND East: Oribi, Red Rhébuck, and Reedbuck, Mar. 16th, 1893.

Hanover: Rhébuck, Steinbuck, Klipspringer, and “ Partridges,” February
Ist, 1893.

HERBERT: Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Blessbuck, Gemsbuck, Eland, and
Redbuck, July 1st, 1894; Ostriches, May 25th, 1893; Koodoos, July rst,
1894; Rhébuck, March rsth, 1895.

Hore Town: Hartebeest, October Ist, 1894.

KIMBERLEY: Ostriches, May 25th, 1893; Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Bless-
buck, Eland, Reedbuck, and Koodoos, July rst, 1894.

KomcGua: Reedbuck, February rst, 1893.

Mount AytirF RESERVE (Griqualand East): All game, March 16th, 1893.

Port ELizaBETH: Oribi, Rhébuck, and Steinbuck, July Ist, 1894.

QuEENsTown: Duikers, May Ist, 1893.

RIVERSDALE: Rhébuck and Bushbuck, June Ist, 1894.

SoMERSET East: All game, February gth, 1894.

16 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

STUTTERHEIM: All kinds of game, February rst, 1893.

SWELLENDAM: Bontebuck and Bushbuck, July rst, 1894.

UITENHAGE: Oribi, Rhébuck, July 1st, 1894.

WopEHousE: Khoorhan, Red and Vaal Rhébuck, Oribi, Klipspringer,
and Springbuck, February rst, 1894.

Game exempted from Act:—George: Hares, February Ist, 1894:
Riversdale: Hares, June ist, 1894.

The following birds are included as game: Quail at Robben
Island; Namaqua “ Partridges’’ in the districts of Barkly West,
Calvinia, Carnarvon, Hay, Herbert, Hope Town, Kimberley, Nama-
qualand, and Prieska.

THE TRANSVAAL.

The new Game Law came into operation in the South African
Republic on the 1st January, 1892. The seasons for shooting,
together with the cost for the necessary licences, are appended.

4s. d.

Small birds, 15th January to 15th August ... ei we O10 0

Ostriches, 1st February to 15th July =a os .» 10 0 0

Small antelopes, rst February to 15th September... .» [10 0
Big antelopes and beasts, including ae 1st February to

15th September sie i wae we = 30 (0
Elands, Buffalo, Rhinoceros, Crate. etc., ist February to

15th September on ue IO 0 9

Elephants and Hippopotami are a0 permitted to be shot

BECHUANALAND.

There is a uniform close season for every description of game in

British Bechuanaland* from September rst to the last day of
February.

* See Remarks on Game Birds, page 97.

Plate II.

Fig. 6—Tue STemnsuck
e( Nanotragus canipestris ),

Fig. 5.—THe SaBLe ANTELOPE (Hippotragus niger ).

Fig. 7.-—Tue Roan Antexore (Hippotragus equinus);

Some Remarks on the Shooting Horse and the
Hunting of Large Game.

Ir we except those portions of the low-lying and most unhealthy
country on the East Coast between the mouths of the Zambesi and
Crocodile Rivers which are impenetrable to horses on account of
the presence of the tsetse fly pest,* all the ordinary larger game
(if the Koodoo and different varieties of water-loving antelopes be
excluded) nowadays roam so far from the permanent waters as to
render hunting on foot almost a sport of the past. The success of a
hunting trip in the Interior of South Africa largely, if not wholly,
depends on the sportsman being in possession of good shooting
horses, and when such have been obtained every endeavour should
be made to preserve them from the fatal ravages of African horse
sickness.

An attempt is being made by the Colonial Government, and by
many of the leading scientists in Europe, to discover some antidote
to this dreadful scourge, but it is feared no beneficial results have
accrued from their labours up to the time of writing.t The disease
is far more prevalent and deadly in its effect in the Interior than
in other portions of South Africa, but it is noteworthy that with
the advance of civilization Northward, the malady equally loses its
virulence and becomes more or less stamped out. In corroboration
of this statement, it may be mentioned that in the early days of the
diamond discoveries at Kimberley it was found almost impossible to

* This pest is referred to at length in the description of the Buffalo.

+ Mr. Strombom, the well-known Interior trader, has been employed by the Colonial
Government to conduct a series of practical tests with a remedy which he asserts he
has discovered, and for this purpose the horses of the Bechuanaland Border Police at
Macloutsie, in the Protectorate, have been placed at his service. The results are,
however, not yet known, although there is reason to believe the experiments have been
attended with some success. In our opinion no cure exists for this fatal sickness, but
a good preventive is recommended, viz.: Place a pinch of carbolic disinfectant powder
in the nosebag every night at sundown, care being taken not to remove the latter on
any consideration until the sun is well up the following morning and all traces of dew
have disappeared.

B

18 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

preserve horses from this scourge in the province of Griqualand
West, but now it is only on rare occasions that its presence becomes
known there.

The disease generally starts its ravages soon after the fall of the
first summer rains, assuming its most deadly form during the months
of February, March, and April, gradually disappearing about the
middle of May. The symptoms are unmistakeable. The hollows
over the eyes of the afflicted animal swell up; a filthy viscid mucus
exudes from the nostrils; the respiration becomes hurried and jerky;
and death usually occurs within three days. Horses that have once
recovered are known as “salted,” and though they may, and very
often do, again show symptoms of the sickness, death rarely results
therefrom. It can readily be imagined, therefore, that a salted
horse is highly regarded and prized by the hunter in the Interior,
and why it often fetches ten times the amount originally paid for
it. Although every other Boer met with in South Africa credibly
asserts that he can by its appearance at once detect whether a horse
or mule has ever contracted the disease, these statements should
never for a moment be acted upon, as there is really no visible
method by which such evidence can be ascertained. As a word of
warning, and before going to the extra expense of buying a salted
horse (as much as from £50 to £100 being demanded for the
same), strict enquiries should first be made respecting not alone
the character of the seller, but independent testimony obtained
in corroboration of the fact of the intended purchase having at one
time been afflicted; and although a written guarantee to this effect
is always given at the sale, it very often happens that a deliberate
fraud has been committed, not more than three out of every ten
horses so guaranteed being salted. Redress by legal process in this,
as in everything else, generally proves more expensive in the end
than the original loss incurred. The Marico district of the Trans-
vaal has the best reputation for turning out salted horses. The
mule is just as liable to contract the sickness, but it is noteworthy
that donkeys are generally impervious to it.

It is no exaggeration to say that the ponies bred in the mountains
of Basutoland are not excelled anywhere in the world for shooting
purposes. Although rarely attaining fourteen and a half hands,
they are not only possessed of wonderful endurance, but are also
capable of thriving in places and under conditions in which other
breeds of horses would almost starve. Perhaps they do not equal

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 19

the English blooded ponies in point of speed, but they are quite
capable, if properly handled, of running the Giraffe or any of the
larger antelopes to a standstill, the Tsessebe and common Harte-
beest excepted. It is, however, in their sureness of foot that they
excel beyond conception, only to be realised by those who have
witnessed one of these ponies, mounted by a great fat Boer of
over sixteen stone in weight, gallop at full speed either across a
bit of country one network in every direction of ant-bear, meer-
cat, and jackal burrows, or down the steep decline of a stony hill.
Anyone unable, on account of the price, or unwilling to undergo
the risk of being swindled in purchasing salted horses, is strongly
recommended to run the chance of horse sickness, and to acquire
unsalted ponies of the Basuto breed. They may be obtained in
Basutoland, the Orange Free State, or on the public market at
Kimberley, at prices ranging from £10 to £20. Except when
constantly driven in harness, it is unusual and quite unnecessary
to have a Basuto pony shod, as the hoof is naturally hard and quite
capable of resisting the ordinary wear of the most rugged and stony
countries. In all cases, no matter what the breed, the shoes of
every horse should be taken off before starting for the Interior.
Speed and endurance are, of course, necessary in the shooting
horse, but these, if unaccompanied by proper training, are in them-
selves alone of very little value. Novices in making a purchase are,
as a rule, quite satisfied if a horse will stand still on a shot being
fired from its back; but although this may often be a point of
necessity in case of encounters with Lions or other dangerous
animals, it is only a secondary consideration, as no experienced
hunter will ever fire when on horseback at running game, unless
galloping ‘actually broadside and close on to it. It is a matter of
far greater moment and importance to possess an animal that will
permit its rider when dismounted and standing beside its head, to
let off repeated shots without attempting to run away. Of the
several devices used in riding a horse with bolting tendencies, that
usually adopted, when dismounted, and before firing, is to merely
throw the reins right forward over the horse’s head, and insert the
right arm through the loop. This, no doubt, is a very simple plan,
but there are obvious drawbacks to it, as it frequently happens that,
whilst a horse may not actually attempt to run away, he may, from
sheer nervousness of disposition, and just at the critical moment
when its rider is about drawing on the trigger, start tugging on the
B2

20 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA,

bridle, and thus totally destroy the opportunity of taking anything
like an accurate aim. To a hunter, after undergoing the vicissitudes
of a long, tiring and exciting chase, this latter situation is calculated
to call forth language the reverse of parliamentary, apart from the
possibility of losing. a good specimen. Another method constantly
in practice, although attended with a slight amount of danger, yet
nevertheless to be preferred to that just mentioned, is to obtain a
thin strip of prepared hide (braid rezmpe) about a yard and a half
in length, to one end of which is attached an iron ring, an inch and
a half in diameter, the other end of which is fastened to the rider's
belt, the rein being run through the ring. In this manner a check
may be obtained on the horse’s head without running so great a
risk of having the arm interfered with at the moment of shooting,
With a little patience, and at the cost of a few rounds of blank
cartridges, most horses ought in a short time to be taught to stand
fire steadily, but even in the most difficult cases this can be accom-
plished by tightly tying the head by the rein to either right or left
stirrup iron, and if, on firing, an attempt at bolting be made, the
animal will be compelled to run in a narrow circle, a proceeding of
which it will rapidly tire, and ultimately stand perfectly still.

When hunting, after a chase is over, and indeed, at every avail-
able opportunity, the horses should be saddled off and knee-haltered
even for the shortest period of time. It is astonishing to observe
with what renewed vigour they will work after having had a good
roll in the sand. When very far from water, and in a flat bush
country devoid of landmarks, it is most unwise at any time to
permit even the best trained horse to go perfectly loose, as, in the
event of its running away (which it may often do in search of
water), the chance of being left alone in the wilderness may occur
—a position, it is needless to say, often attended with extreme
danger. In this event sportsmen are advised on no account to
at once commence running after the straying animal, and only,
where everything else fails, should the horse’s sfoor (footprints)
be followed, which, though it will eventually lead to water, may
not by any means be the nearest. It is a nasty situation, and one
that requires a considerable amount of calm consideration. If it
is supposed that any companions or natives are in the vicinity,
the best course that can be adopted, where practicable, is to set
fire to the dry grass, the smoke from which may possibly attract
attention. The possession of a compass may obviate any imminent

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 21

danger, and no one hunting in the far Interior of South Africa
should ever be without one.

Having so many different enemies to contend with, it is now-
adays rare for the larger species of game to approach water during
the day, except in a few districts where they are seldom disturbed.
They generally steal down at night through the bush-covered banks
of the rivers to drink, and having quenched their thirst are imme-
diately off again in the direction of their day resorts; which are, as
a general rule, long distances away, and which they usually manage
to reach before dawn. To be a successful hunter, now, it is not
only necessary to be a good rider and a steady, cool, and deliberate
rifle shot, but also to be well acquainted with the shape of the spoor
imprinted in the sand of the different varieties of game pursued; and,
from continual practice, to possess and retain the gift of accurately
determining whether such spoor is fresh or stale, which is not by
any means easy of acquirement. To a sportsman failing in this
respect, the prospects of success are always very uncertain, and the
aid of the Masarwas (Bushmen), when obtainable, should invariably
be brought into requisition as trackers. If there is any game
frequenting the neighbourhood, these nomads of the wilderness,
prompted by the hope of obtaining a small piece of tobacco in
return for their services, or, what is more dear to them, a supply of
fresh meat, will invariably find it out. Perhaps the greatest of all
difficulties which a stranger in the country has to overcome is in
determining distances, the rarefied atmosphere rendering objects
extremely hard to guage, but this can be overcome with constant
practice.

For the purpose of obtaining really good sport, it is far preferable
to adopt a systematic rather than a haphazard course. Just at day-
break, being already mounted, it will be found expedient to carefully
examine the spoor of the different animals which have been to drink
during the night, and, having chosen such of the species as may be
desired, and which have been the last to leave their imprints along
the muddy banks, to follow them up step by step. The Masarwas
start off at a quick run, which they are capable of sustaining for
hours together, picking out the spoor with unerring accuracy in all
its windings from perhaps thousands of others; and if they are at all
lucky, will generally manage to point out the game before the heat
of the sun makes further exertion uncomfortable for man or beast.
The chief drawback attending the hunting of the Giraffe, Eland,

22 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

and Gemsbuck is the difficulty of watering the shooting horses regu-
larly in the thirst-lands frequented by these animals. Oxen will
work constantly under favourable circumstances, and keep in condi-
tion, if watered once daily, whilst a horse in such a warm climate,
when continually used in severe chase, will quickly knock up and
become useless unless it drinks at least twice daily. The possession
of a good water cart is desirable, and will save many troubles and
annoyances, and very often the loss of a valuable shooting pony.
In hunting game in the “thirst,” the cart, to which four or six
oxen are yoked, should be filled with water and a start made the
previous evening, which must be continued during the night as far
as possible in the direction of the intended operations on the follow-
ing day. Just when there is sufficient light to see, the search for
fresh spoor should commence, care always being taken to advance
up wind, the water carts keeping in touch with the horses’ spoor at
a distance from which the cracking of the driver’s whip is inaudible.
When a Giraffe, Eland, or Gemsbuck is sighted, hard straight riding
should invariably be the order of the day, as the animals mentioned,
if hard pressed at the start, will readily give in and can be ridden
down much quicker than if allowed to adopt their own pace
at the commencement of the chase. At such times the assaults
sustained from thorns, the dangers of meercat, jackal, or yawning
ant-bear holes, should be unworthy of the thoughts of a very
enthusiastic sportsman who takes part in the most exciting and
glorious sport in the world.

It is somewhat difficult at the commencement to get into the
knack of shooting running game, as in the first place a certain
amount of practice is absolutely necessary, success depending much
less on the extreme accuracy of aim than the possession of a cool
judgment at the critical moment. It is either the want of know-
ledge of distances before referred to, coupled with a supreme anxiety
to kill, that renders the first attempts of the novice fruitless; and
this is scarcely to be wondered at when it is an established fact ‘that
even the oldest and most experienced hunters, after undergoing the
vicissitudes of a long and tiring stern chase on horseback—carrying
a heavy rifle in the heat of a tropical sun—will occasionally, even at
close quarters, fail in hitting the large surface presented by the body
of a full grown bull Giraffe. When shooting on foot in thick bush,
whether the animals be dangerous or not, a thorough recovery from
a very common disease usually known as “ buck fever,” and which is

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 23

peculiar to the young and uninitiated hunter, is the first essential.
The flesh of most of the larger antelopes, especially of all the
varieties of water antelope, should be eaten when quite hot, other-
wise the fat (which, it must be confessed, is rather rare to find),
if allowed to cool, clogs the palate and teeth in a very disagree-
able manner. The Bechuana term for all four-footed game is
pholoholo.

It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the sportsman how
absolutely necessary it is for future verification, immediately on his
return from camp with a specimen, whether fur or feather, to plainly
mark the same with the locality in which it was obtained, together
with its name, both Native, English, and Dutch, and the date upon
which it was shot. New varieties may often be determined if such
a plan were adopted, alike of interest to sport as it is of value to
science.

AN TELOPES.

The Steinbuck (Nanotragus campestris). Fig. 6, Plate I—
(Steinbok of the Dutch; Phuduhudu of the Bechuanas ;
Umgwena of the Matabele; Gayee of the Masarwas.)

[Height about 23 inches.* General colour, light purplish red-
dish brown, darker on the top of back and neck, approaching fawn,
and white underneath ; hatr thick and close, as if broken at the
ends; tatl extremely diminutive. Hornst are usually between
3 and 4 inches tn length, vertical, straight, and sharp, some-
what annulated at extreme base. Female hornless, and of a more
yellowish colour throughout. Spoor, z inch, heart-shaped. |

THE STEINBUCK is the most common and widely distributed of the
gazelles of South Africa, and may be found from Capetown to the
Zambesi, frequenting the open flats either singly or in pairs. Owing
to its wonderful fleetness, it may be said, from a coursing point of
view, to take the place of the English hare, as the different varieties
of hare in the Cape Colony afford little or no sport. At Kimberley,
in Griqualand West, a regular coursing club was organised shortly
after the discovery of the diamond fields, and it has been carried on
ever since with the greatest success, the Colonists being just as
much interested in the result of the annual club cup as sportsmen
are in England over the Waterloo Cup, large sums of money
changing hands at the meetings. It requires, however, a really

« The measurement of all animals herein referred to is taken from the shoulder, and
is to be so understood in subsequent descriptions.

+ It must not be presumed, as is sometimes the case, that the age of the horns of any
of the numerous varieties of South African antelopes is in the least revealed by the
number of rings they carry, there being no equal relation between their development
and the prolongation of life. It is true, however, that the annuli do increase somewhat
as they advance in growth, but it is also a fact that the rings become fewer as the
animals reach maturity and subsequent old age.

Plate III.

Fig. 8. Tue Brug Witpepzest ( Cannochetes taurinus ).

Fig. 9 —Tue Bresspuck (Damalis albifrons)

Fig. 10.—Tue Burrato (Bos caffer).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 25

fast powerful greyhound with a lot of bottom to run up on a Stein-
buck. As nearly all proprietors strictly preserve the species in
Griqualand West, they are there very numerous, perhaps even more
so than in the native territories further North. This gazelle com-
mences feeding about sundown, and continues its wanderings during
the night, at sunrise retiring under cover of some low thick clump of
bush or patch of long grass, where, unless disturbed, it passes the
entire day in concealment. As it usually lies asleep during the great
heat of the sun, it can then be easily walked up to and readily disposed
of with a charge of buckshot. When severely wounded or hard pressed
by dogs, it will often take refuge in the burrow of the ardvaark (ant-
bear). At all times the Steinbuck is rather a difficult shot with the
rifle; but if the half-hour before dusk or sunrise be chosen, some pretty
rifle shooting may be obtained, and a quiet stalk at such times through
a veldt which they frequent will often well repay the sportsman when
larger antelopes are not at hand. The wind has no influence with
regard to the direction in which it goes, as it will run either up or
down wind. It does not frequent very hilly or thick bush country,
and is capable of existing for long periods without water. The
Steinbuck is very easily tamed, but invariably becomes blind when
kept in captivity for any length of time. The flesh is excellent.

The Oribi (Vanotragus scoparius). Fig. 15, Plate V.

[Height about 2 feet. Body stouter and more compact than the
Stecnbuck, the colouring being more yellowish, with white below ;
hair and tail longer. Horns about 5 inches in length, straight
and pointed, being considerably annulated above the base. Female
hornless. Spoor same shape as, but slightly larger than, the Stetn-
buck. |

Tuts antelope is very common on the open plains of Natal and Zulu-
land, where it is better known than the Steinbuck, which it closely
resembles in its habits and appearance, if we except the conspicuous
brushes on the knees and black tail which the Oribi possesses. It
frequents the Transvaal in fair numbers, the Eastern districts of the
. Cape Colony, and the Orange Free State, as also portions of Mata-
beleland and the country in the neighbourhood of the Victoria Falls
on the Zambesi, and about Fort Victoria in Mashonaland. One or
two specimens are said to have been obtained in Bechuanaland, but
it is unknown in the Kalahari and to the Westward. It frequents

26 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

open flats, singly or in pairs, within reasonable distance of water. In
speed it is very fast, dodging from side to side in a peculiar manner
with a series of leaps and rushes. The flesh is fairly good.

The Grysbuck (Wanotragus melanotis). Fig. 29, Plate VIII.—
(Grysbok of the Dutch; Sashlungwan of the Matabele.)

[Height about 22 inches. Coat rather long and coarse, of a unt-
form deep reddish chocolate, profusely mingled with white hatrs,
which gives the animal altogether a grizzled appearance; head
broad and short, tail very short, scarcely extending beyond the
hatr of the rump. Horns, 3% inches, smooth and round. Females
hornless. Spoor almost same as Stetnbuck, but smaller.)

THis wary antelope is found in the Cape Colony, particularly in the
Eastern districts and on the borders of Natal, being unknown in
the Transvaal, Bechuanaland, Damaraland, Namaqualand, or Ovam-
boland. In the hilly country along the Zambesi and Northern
Mashonaland it is very common, but is scarce in Matabeleland
proper. Its habits are solitary, and are almost identical with those
of the Steinbuck, with the exception that it invariably frequents
hilly, broken, and stony country in preference to the open flats.
The flesh is not particularly good.

The Klipspringer (Oveotragus saltator). Fig. 18, Plate V.—
(Khpspringer or Klipbok of the Dutch; E-go-go of the
Matabele.)

[Height about 22 inches. General colour, dark brownish grey
tinged with green. The fur 1s very peculiar, and much resembles
hogs’ bristles, each hatr being hollow and tipped at the points with
yellow, the appearance of the coat being exceedingly like that of the
hedgehog. Head short and broad, the form being robust and
square. Horns average 3% inches, slightly inclining forwards and
distant, being sparely wrinkled at the base and somewhat.annu-
lated in the middle. Females hornless. The spoor 1s almost
round tn appearance, the base of each hoof not being much larger 2
than a threepenny piece. |

Tus little antelope, the chamois of South Africa, was at one time
very numerous on the mountains around Capetown and Simonstown,

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 27

and is said to be still occasionally met with there; but from thence
to the Zambesi, in very broken and mountainous country, it is fairly
common. In the hills about Kanya and Molopolole, in the Bechu-
analand Protectorate, it is plentiful, as also in the Zoutpansberg,
Waterberg, and Murchison Ranges in the Transvaal, and throughout
the broken portions of Matabeleland. It is always a very wary little
animal, difficult to reach with a shot gun, and its diminutive size does
not afford an easy mark for the rifle. The hoofs, unlike other species
of antelope, do not project to a point, but are formed almost similar
to those of the European chamois, which it closely resembles in its
habits. It is thus enabled to obtain a foothold on the face of almost
perpendicular rocks which would appear inaccessible to any animal.
It invariably frequents the tops of the highest 4op7zes (hills) and only
descends to the valleys when darkness sets in for the purpose of
drinking, which it does regularly. Driving is the best, if not the only,
plan by which a shot can be obtained at the Klipspringer, stalking
being rarely successful, as the hill summits are generally covered
with stunted bush or herbaceous plants, which afford concealment to
the animal when reclining during the daytime. They do not asso-
ciate together in herds. The Klipspringer is easily tamed and makes
a most sagacious pet, but from a habit they have of nibbling at every-
thing which could possibly injure them, they usually fall victims to
their own irregular appetites. A storekeeper at Kanya had several
of this species thoroughly domesticated, but they all succumbed in
time to the poisonous effects of eating the cast-off leaden capsules of
whisky bottles! The flesh is extremely good.

The Duiker (Cephalolophus grimmi). Fig. 26, Plate VII.)—
(Duiker-bok of the Dutch; Put’ of the Bechuanas; Jmpuzi
of the Matabele.)

[Average height of adult male about 26 inches. General colour,
a mixture of dark grey and brown, with an olive tinge, whitish
beneath. Horns about 4 inches tn length, placed close together jar
back between the ears, standing a little outwards, annulated at the
base, a long tuft of hair projecting in the centre. Females usually
hornless, but they are occasionally met with in the Kalahari and
Bechuanaland carrying short and tmperfect horns. Spoor, 1%
inches, heart-shaped, being narrower at the heel in proportion to
that of the Steinbuck.]

28 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Tue Durer (‘‘diver” or “dodger’’) is, next to the Steinbuck, the
most common and widely-distributed of the smaller antelopes, and
may be found sometimes in pairs, but more frequently singly, in
every suitable locality from the vicinity of Table Bay to the Zambesi.
Its most favourite habitats are usually flats covered with long grass,
with here and there patches of thick bush. It also frequents the
slopes of low sparsely-wooded hills, but is rarely met in a much
broken country. Its habits are almost similar to those of the Stein-
buck, wandering about on the feed during the night, and reclining
during the entire day in some clump of bushes. It is much more
wary, however, than the animal above referred to, and even during
the hottest hours of the day appears to be on the guz vive. From
its peculiar habit of diving with great rapidity under and in and out
through the bushes, although approached unawares, it is not by any
means easy to shoot, even with a shot gun. Possessing, also, great
vitality, unless actually killed outright, it often manages to effect
its escape. The Duiker varies considerably in size and appearance.
according to the districts in which it is found, those of the Cape
Colony and Griqualand West being, as a rule, smaller and lighter
in colour than those in the countries farther North. In those por-
tions of the Kalahari which have no permanent surface water they
are very common, and attain their largest size, some specimens
having been shot which measured 28 inches at the shoulder; hence
the confusion caused by the supposition that there was more than
one variety of this species. Unlike the Steinbuck, this antelope is
not of a wandering disposition, and will often frequent, if not much
disturbed, exactly the same spot for more than one season; in
addition to which its capability of subsisting without water for
lengthened periods is greater. The flesh is not so good as that
of the Steinbuck.

The Natal Redbuck (Cephalolophus natalensis). Fig. 2, Plate I.

[Herght about 2 feet. General colour, orange red, much darker
above, paleing below, ears rather large. Horns rarely exceed Pa
to 2 inches tn length, placed close together with a backward sweep,
a long tuft of hair being between. Spoor same as the Duiker, but
rather smaller. |

Tuis antelope is found only in Zululand, Natal, and the Southern
portions of Swazieland, but is everywhere very scarce. It is, how

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 29

ever, stated on good authority to have been recently found in South-
eastern Mashonaland. Its habits closely resemble those of the
Duiker, to which species it is apparently allied, except that it chooses
dense forests as a residence, from which it only emerges in the
evening, or during wet weather.

The Bluebuck (Cepfhalolophus monticola). Fig. 11, Plate IV.

[Herght about 13 inches. General colour, slaty mouse, whtte
beneath, round the eyes being devoid of hair, head long and pointed,
not unlike a rat in appearance. Horns about 1% to 2 inches in
length, closely annulated and reclining. Female smaller, hornless.
Spoor scarcely exceeds 4 inch in length.]

Tue Biuesuck is the most diminutive of all the South African
antelopes, and even the most practised eye will frequently fail to
detect its presence. It is only found in the coast districts of the Cape
Colony, and occasionally in Natal, being nowhere plentiful. Its
habits are solitary, and it confines itself to the dense bush and forest,
from which it is difficult to dislodge, darting from cover to cover
when pursued by dogs with a celerity that is surprising. It emits a
nasty musky odour. Flesh not particularly good.

The Springbuck (Gazelle euchore). Fig. 20, Plate VI.—
(Springbok of the Dutch; Tsepee of the Bechuanas.)

[Average height 31 tnches, often exceeded tn North-west Bechu-
analand. General colour, bright rufous down the flanks, being
marked on each side with a rich chestnut horizontal band, verging
ento dark plum as tt joins the white of the belly, which ts pure white
anside legs folds of skin over rump, when animal ts excited, exhibit
a snow-white crested patch; under portion of neck white; face and
breast white, a chestnut streak passing from between the horns to
nose; tail 8 inches long. Horns of male black, lyrate, about 12
inches in length along the curve, plentifully annulated. Female
wth horns, narrower, more slender, and less curved. Spoor much
heart-shaped, slightly under 2 tnches. |

THE period when Gordon Cumming says the plains of South Africa
were literally covered with countless herds of this beautiful antelope
is now long past. At the present day some flocks of Springbuck
may be found in portions of the Cape Colony, particularly in the
Karoo belt about Beaufort West, Carnarvon, Calvinia, and Little

30 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Namaqualand, but only on those farms of the Dutch and English
settlers where they are preserved, and from whom permission to
shoot should on all occasions be first obtained. The same remarks
equally apply to the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. The
year previous to Sir Charles Warren’s Bechuanaland Expedition in
1884, the plains in the neighbourhood of the great salt-pan at
Groot Choiang, about 30 miles North of Vryburg, were frequented
by large herds, but now it is only on rare occasions that a stray one
may be met with there, and which has probably crossed from the
preserved farms of the Transvaal Boers on the other side of the
border. Throughout the remaining portion of Bechuanaland they
are nearly extinct, and the next 12 months will probably see the last
of them in that region. On the open arid flats, both North and
South of the Botletle, where the road from Palapye to Lake
’Ngami strikes the river, they still roam in large herds, as well
as in the neighbourhood of the Makari-kari salt-pans. In Great
Namaqualand, Damaraland, and portions of Ovamboland they are
still fairly plentiful. The Springbuck is very migratory in its habits,
and in the past, in seasons of drought, was wont to change its feed-
ing grounds, when thus on the move assembling in herds of such
enormous extent that reliable authorities have stated that as far as
the eye could reach the entire plains have been one living mass of
trekking buck. Their favourite haunts are perfectly open flats, and
it is only during the extreme cold of the winter nights, or occasionally
in the lambing season, that they seek shelter in the bush. It derives
its name from the peculiar habit, when startled, and sometimes even
in mere playfulness, of springing from the ground often to a height
of 8 feet, arching its back and lowering its head, a ridge of hair
extending along the spine being elevated into a crest. It is also
curious to observe that when a flock on the move meets with a
wagon road or beaten track, each animal, instead of running across
the same, will clear the space at a bound. In speed they excel all
other South African antelopes, but are not possessed of the same
amount of endurance as the Tsessebe or Hartebeest. It requires
a great deal of practice, and a facility for accurately determining
distances, to become even a tolerable Springbuck shot. Owing to
the unequal refraction on the open sandy flats, the light is most
uncertain, and objects at a considerable distance appear as if actually
at hand. It is, then, not to be wondered at why crack target shots
often miserably fail in bringing down a single animal when a Spring-

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 31

buck is the mark for their bullets; nor is it by any means uncommon
to observe trained sportsmen fresh from England, and armed with
the best and most accurately sighted rifles, aimlessly discharge
50 to 60 cartridges without result, whilst a Boer or anyone accus-
tomed to the sport will generally be successful at least once out
of half-a-dozen tries. Moreover, Springbuck are now a days ex-
tremely shy, and it is quite an exception to obtain a shot at a
closer range than 300 or 400 yards. It is strange, but nevertheless a
fact which all experienced hunters will confirm, that it is merely
a waste of cartridges to fire into the “brown” of a flock, no
matter how numerous or closely packed the animals may be. The
usual plan adopted by the Boers (than whom there are no finer shots
in the world at moving objects) when hunting the Springbuck is
for six or more horsemen to approach from different directions in
the endeavour to scatter the herd before firing. If this can be
accomplished, the animals get much confused, and are then readily
approached at close shooting distance. Another method which is
recommended is to have a span of oxen driven towards a herd of
these antelopes, and by keeping well among the cattle, it will be
possible to get to within 50 or 60 yards of them. During the chill
winter months, it has been observed that the species will often
forsake the open flats towards sundown, and take refuge from the
cold of the night in some neighbouring bushes. On such occasions
excellent stalking may be obtained at dawn of day, at a time when,
according to a Boer saying, “there is sufficient light to enable one
to distinguish the chestnut patch on the bucks’ sides.” A common
practice, which can often be adopted with success, and is recom-
mended, is to loose some dogs not possessed of any great speed into
a flock, a proceeding at which the Springbucks are no wise terrified,
their attention being concentrated and their curiosity excited during
the futile efforts of their pursuers ‘to overtake them as they gambol
around, when they can be readily approached to very close quarters.
They usually drink every second day, but often sustain themselves
for a week at a time without water. The flesh is excellent.

The Blessbuck (Damalis albifrons). Fig. 9, Plate III.—
(Blesbok of the Dutch; Mwnni of the Bechuanas.)

[Average height of adult male about 3 feet 2 tches, occasionally
larger. General colour, light hoary brown, approaching chestnut

32 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

on flanks and thighs, belly and inside of legs blutsh white; front
of face from between horns covered with large pure white patch;
tail 16 inches. Horns from 13 to 15 inches long, dirty white,
lyrate, divergent, with several wide half rings on frontal edging.
Females with horns, but more slender. Spoor stmilar to the
Springbuck, about 2% inches. ]

Tus antelope is now only found ranging on some farms in the
Transvaal, and on one or two in the Orange Free State. Previous
to Sir Charles Warren’s Expedition in 1884, they were fairly common
on the open flats in Southern Bechuanaland, particularly in the
neighbourhood of Groot Choiang, and also in the district of Rha-
mathlabama, a few miles North of Mafeking. They are now practic-
ally extinct there, an occasional troop only straying from beyond the
Transvaal border from the preserved farms. This species is gre-
garious and formerly frequented the vast open plains along the Vaal
and Orange Rivers in incalculable numbers with the Springbuck,
which antelope it resembles closely in habits, and almost equals it in
speed. They can be closely approached with a herd of cattle, when
a shot may be offered, as in the case of the Springbuck, although
they are more wary than that antelope. The flesh is excellent.

The Bontebuck (Damalis pygargus). Fig. 27, Plate VII.—
(Bontebok of the Dutch.)

[Height varies from 3 feet 4 tnches to as much as 3 feet IT
anches. General colour, light chocolate brown, changing into a rich
dark shining chestnut on the neck, flanks, and thighs, space around
tail, belly, and legs, from the knee down, with face, pure white.
Horns 15 inches, black, erect, lyrate, thicker at base than the Bless-
buck, well annulated. Females have horns, but more slender. ]

Tuis variety, which is one of the largest of South African gazelles,
cannot now be considered as a part of the wild game of that
country, as it is to-day believed to exist only on the farm of a
gentleman named Van der Byl, near Swellendam, in the Cape
Colony. Formerly it used to roam in incredible thousands in the
Orange River and Karoo districts, but indiscriminate, wilful, and sense-
less slaughter has rendered it practically extinct. Its habits resemble
those of the Blessbuck in almost every particular, it being, however,
much more piebald and more humped than that animal. A pecu-

Plate IV.

Fig. 12.—Tue Watersuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ).

Fig. 14,—Tue LicHTensTEIn HaRTEBEEST
~ (Bubalis lichtensteini).

Fig. 13.—Tue Hartepeest (Bubalis caama).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 33

liarity of both varieties, when on the gallop, is the -habit they have

of beating against wind, keeping their heads close to the ground
like a hound on the scent.

The Tsessebe (Damalis lunatus). Fig 19, Plate VI.—
(Bastard Hartebeeste of the Dutch; Tsessebe of the Bechuanas;
Incolomo of the Matabele; Lechuw of the Masarwas.)

[Height 3 feet ro inches. General appearance almost tdentical
with the Hartebcest, the head, however, being broader at the top, and
body bulkier. Horns about 12 inches, crescent-shaped, well annu-
lated. Females with horns, but more slender. Spoor almost
marstinguishable from that of the species above referred to. |

Tuts antelope does not frequent the Cape Colony, its most Southern
range being Sichele’s country in the Bechuanaland Protectorate. It
is occasionally met with in the extreme confines of the Transvaal
bordering the Crocodile or Limpopo River, and is still fairly
numerous in the Matabele and Mashona countries, where not driven
out by the invasion of gold prospectors during the last two years;
but it is very plentiful in places in the independent native territory
on the East Coast North of the Crocodile. Immediately South of the
Zambesi, about the Chobe, Mababe, and Botletle Rivers, and in the
neighbourhood of Lake ’Ngami, it is even to-day quite common.
The Tsessebe is the fleetest and most enduring of all the larger
antelopes of South Africa, the calves shortly after birth being able
to keep up with those that are full grown. Like the Hartebeest, it
is a stupid animal, and is as easily confused, its habits and charac-
teristics also being almost identical. Although not in the habit of
drinking daily, it never appears to stray such long distances from
water as the Hartebeest or Wildebeest. Its paces are jerky and
irregular like the Hartebeest, and the flesh is rather good.

The Rhébuck (Pelea capreola). Fig. 24, Plate VII.—(Vaal
Rhébok of the Dutch; Peel’ of the Bechuanas.)

[Average height of male 30 inches. General colour, dirty light
greyish brown, underneath white, tail short, broad, and fan-shaped;
body long and slim, neck attenuated; ears long and pointed; coat
thick and woolly. Horns average 8 inches in length, wide apart,

¢

34 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

slender, and pointed, with a very perceptible bend forwards, well
annulated from base. Females horniess. Spoor very much tn-
dented, round at the points of the hoofs, about 1% inches tn length.|

Tuus species is fairly well distributed throughout the Cape Colony,
the Orange Free State, Transvaal, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and
portions of Natal, Matabeleland, and Zululand, but nowhere at the
present day is it to be found in large numbers. Like the Red
Rhébuck and the Klipspringer, it is only met with in very broken
country, frequenting the highest points of the mountains and hofyzes,
never descending to the valleys or plains except at night when in
search of water. It is generally found in flocks of six or seven up to
a dozen, and is most wary and difficult of approach, one old ram
usually standing on guard while the remainder feed. On the least
sign of danger, the sentry immediately decamps among the rocky
boulders, being instantly followed by the whole herd, springing from
rock to rock with great activity. Driving is the best plan to adopt
when hunting this species, the guns taking up a position in some
narrow valley through which the Rhébuck are bound to pass on
being driven by natives and dogs from one range of hills to another.
It is worthy of remark that at certain portions of the year the entire
body of this animal is often found to be burrowed with a large sort
of warble, and consequently the flesh at such times is unfit for food,
in addition to which it decomposes with great rapidity.

The Red Rhébuck (Cervicapra lalandii). Fig. 4, Plate L—
(Roi Rhébok of the Dutch.)

[Height seldom exceeding that of a large Dutker, and averaging
about 28 inches, the body, however, being much stouter. The
hatr ts much longer and coarser than that of the Reedbuck (fig.
23, plate VII.), and ts of a very reddish brown colour, underneath
showing white strongly. Horns rarely exceed 8 or 9 inches, bending
sharply forwards tn a short sweep without opening outwards,
well annulated from the base. Females hornless. Spoor deeply
marked, slightly open at the potnts of hoof, a shade over I inches
an length. |

In the course of research we have been somewhat surprised to find
that naturalists have classified this antelope into two varieties, one
being the name under which we think it should be known, and the

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 35

other the “Lesser Reedbuck” or Rez#dok. It is true that the
question has been raised before; but it has, as we believe, been too
hastily assumed by experienced men like Harris that it is the
young of the Reedbuck; whereas our investigations and observations
lead us to suppose that the “Lesser Reedbuck” is merely a young
specimen of the common Reedbuck, the Red Rhébuck being wholly
distinct from that animal. One writer has even gone so far as to
assert that the latter resembles the Vaal Rhébuck (e/ea capreola)
in every particular except the colour of the coat! In the Osteo-
logical Section of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington,
there is a single specimen of horns which was sent from the Orange
River so long ago as 1830, and which bears a greater resemblance
to the Reedbuck than do those of the Red Rhébuck, although they
are much smaller, but which, on account of their being taken from a
full grown animal, are apparently a distinct species. Whether they
are the horns of the so-called “ Lesser Reedbuck”’ or not we cannot
determine; but if so, that antelope must long since have become
extinct, if, indeed, it ever existed. It is very certain, however, that
the Red Rhébuck is as different from the Reedbuck as the Oribi is
from the Springbuck, in confirmation of which the habits of the
two varieties are totally at variance with each other. The former,
which runs in herds often exceeding 20 in number, invariably
frequents the summits of hilly and mountainous districts where
there are no reeds, and from whence water may be miles and miles
distant. The Reedbuck, on the contrary, either in pairs, or never
exceeding four at a time, is only found in low-lying country along
those rivers which have reeds lining their banks. The one pecu-
liarity common to both species is the fact that the males, when
alarmed, give vent to a shrill whistle. As a deduction, therefore,
and in the absence of any proof to the contrary, we are bound to
assume that the so-called “Lesser Reedbuck” has been confused
with the Red Rhébuck, which, by the way, is probably identical
with the Nagor (Cervicapra redunca) of West-central Africa.
The Red Rhébuck is generally found in favourable localities all
over that part of Africa South of the Zambesi, but more plenti-
fully in the mountainous ranges of the Transvaal and the broken
country in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, especially in the vicinity
of Sichele’s stronghold. Resorting to inaccessible places, it is
nowhere by any means abundant, and consequently specimens
are but seldom obtained. Like the Rhébuck (é/ea capreola) one
ce

36 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

old ram of a herd constantly acts as sentinel while the remainder
feed, and on the least approach of danger at once gives thé alarm by
shrilly whistling. The flesh is somewhat poor.

The Reedbuck (Cervicapra arundinum). Fig 23, Plate VII—
(Reitbok of the Dutch; Cipohata of the Bechuanas; Umuwee
of the Makobas and Masieuvias ; nzeegee of the Matabele.)

[Height about 3 feet. General colour, pale fawnsh brown,
approaching orange about the head; belly and inside of legs a dirty
white, hay short and somewhat woolly. Horns average 12 inches,
sometimes attaining to 16 tnches, boldly annulated, bending out.
wards and sweeping forwards. Female hornless. Spoor heart-
shaped, somewhat narrow at heel, a little over 2 inches.]

Ir is now extremely rare to meet this species in the Transvaal,
except along some of the rivers in the North-eastern districts, and
in Bechuanaland it is virtually extinct, although five years ago it
was fairly common in the reeds of the Molopo, close to the site of
the present town of Mafeking. In portions of the British Pro-
tectorate bordering the Crocodile, and along the North-western
tributaries of that river, it may still occasionally be met with, but
nowhere there in plenty. In the low country on the East Coast
about the Pungwe and Sabi Rivers it is extremely numerous. On
those rivers of Mashonaland and Matabeleland which are margined
with reeds, and where not driven out by the natives and prospectors,
it may in places be plentifully found. But along the Chobe, Mababe,
Tamulakani, and Botletle Rivers (where the banks are not precipi-
tous) it is still quite common. In the dry reed patches bordering
Lake 'Ngami, the Taouhe, and Okavango, as far up as Indali’s,
from which the water recedes during several months of the year,
the Reedbuck is particularly numerous; so much so as to lead to
the erroneous impression that the antelope is gregarious, so many
often being observed together at one time. It is usual to find
the rams and ewes consorting in pairs, accompanied by a couple of
their immature progeny, usually frequenting dry patches of reeds;
but when these become flooded they often resort to the bush
in the immediate vicinity of water. Although always found in
proximity to the latter element, the Reedbuck when pursued will
never take refuge in it, but in endeavouring to escape will direct
its course right away from the river beds towards the shelter of the

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 37

thick bush, and where such is not at hand even into the open
country. When suddenly alarmed, the males sometimes give vent
to a whistle resembling that of the Red Rhébok (Cervicapra lalandir).
The species is rather easily approached, and the gallop being slow
and regular, it is perhaps the easiest of the South African antelopes
to shoot; but at the same time it must be remarked that this, like
all the other water-resorting varieties, possesses an extraordinary
amount of vitality. The flesh is scarcely palatable, but the liver is

considered a tit-bit.

The Bushbuck (Zragelaphus sylvaticus). Fig. 16, Plate V.—
(Boschbok of the Dutch.)

[Height of full-grown male about 34 inches. General colour,
dark chocolate, darker above, occasionally marked along the spine
with a thin white streak, together with a few round white spots on
cheek and flank. Horns average a little over 12 tnches, erect,
spiral, closely wrinkled at base, with sharp, smooth points. Females
hornless. Spoor oblong, heart-shaped, and sharp, very small tn
compartson to the antmal’s size, about 1% inches. |

ALTHOUGH such an eminent authority as Mr. Selous considers the
ordinary Bushbuck of the Cape Colony and the Harnessed Antelope
(Tragelaphus scriptus) of Lake ’Ngami, the Chobe, and North-
western Africa to be specifically identical, without entering into such
a question here it is thought better to separately treat the varieties
—if, indeed, they be varieties—as they vary considerably from each
other both in size and colouring. As specimens of both are at
present to be seen in the Zoological Gardens, London, those taking
sufficient interest in the matter may solve the question to their own
satisfaction from personal observation. The Bushbuck is found in
all the maritime divisions of the Cape Colony and Natal wherever
there are any considerable belts of thick bush. It is unusual to come
across more than a pair of adults together at the same time, and
it rarely ventures in the daytime from the impenetrable bush unless
driven, only emerging into the open glades to feed during the dark-
ness of the night. Like the Koodoo, when pursued it keeps as
much as possible to the bush, through the thickest portions of which
it penetrates with the greatest facility, the horns at the time being
thrown backwards along the neck, which is generally denuded of
hair, this probably being caused by constant rubbing against the

38 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

underwood. In the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth the antelope
is very strictly preserved, as it is in most other places in the Colony
in which it resorts. About Easter time every year Jattues are
inaugurated, when large drives of Bushbuck take place. On these
occasions numbers of natives, with the assistance of dogs, are em-
ployed to beat the wooded 4/oofs, driving the game towards the
guns, which are generally placed in some narrow neck or outlet from
the valleys. Although a small antelope, it is nevertheless a dan-
gerous one to tackle when wounded or driven to bay, as it will
frequently.charge with great determination, and with its sharp horns
plays havoc among such of the dogs as have the rashness to approach
too near. The species found on the Crocodile River, and alluded to
by Gordon Cumming as the Antelopus roualeyner, is smaller in size
and more reddish in colour, the fur being also longer than that of
the Colonial variety. Some few years ago they were very common
along the thick bush-covered banks of that river, particularly near
its junction with the Notwani. They are now very scarce there,
being continually disturbed by the numerous travellers on their
way to the recently opened-up country of Mashonaland. The flesh
is considered excellent.

The Harnessed or Spotted Bushbuck (Zragelaphus scriptus).
—(Serulebutluku or Seropesabotiuku of the Bechuanas; Imba-
bala of the Matabele; Unkurungu of the Makobas and
Masieuvias.)

[Height of adult male about 31 inches. In appearance this
variety 1s perhaps the most beautifully marked of any antelope in
the world, the full-grown males being a rich deep red, profusely
marked with large round white spots, eight well-defined stripes
generally running evenly across the .back, meeting on a white
streak on each stde, an erectable mane extending the whole length
of spine. Females approach a yellowish red, well spotted, stripes
not being so well-defined as in males. Horns average about I0
inches. Females hornless. Spoor same as T. sylvaticus, but
smaller. |

INDIVIDUALLY or in pairs this antelope frequents the dense bushy
banks of some of the tributaries of the Zambesi in the neighbourhood
of the Victoria Falls, while along the Chobe, Botletle, and Oka-

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 39

vango Rivers it is still quite common.* It is never found more than
a couple of hundred yards from the water, and during the day lies
closely in the thick cover afforded by a species of sharp spear-pointed
flagger-like plants (which only flourish in the shade of the forest
in the immediate vicinity of the rivers), from the fibre of which the
Makobas and Masieuvias make their fishing nets. The emigrant
Boers call this plant “ballstikker.”” As it is next to an impossibility
to get this antelope to break cover, the shot-gun with a charge of
buck-shot is much preferable to the rifle.

The Inyala (Zragelaphus angasi). Fig. 28, Plate VIII.

[Height of adult male about 3 feet 7 inches. General colour, a
dark greyish brown, mingled with white hairs about the neck; long
thick fringe of shaggy dark brown hair commencing at chin, ex-
tending down the throat and breast, between the forelegs, ending in
the middle of the belly; patches of same on the upper front of each
of the hind legs; some traverse whitish streaks on the back and
sides, half-a-dozen spots of same colour on each thigh, with half
band over upper portion of the nose under eyes; tail long and tufted.
females, smaller tn stze, light red tn colour, with numerous white
Spots along the stdes; about a dozen well marked even traverse
stripes over back and sides. Horns of male widely annulated and
scarcely distinguishable from those of the Nakong (Tragelaphus
spekei), averaging about 22 inches. Females hornless. Spoor re-
sembles the two other varieties of Bushbuck, about 2% inches tn
length. |

Tuis is the largest of the true South African Bushbuck, its range
being now limited to the dense bush of a few of the coast districts
of Zululand and about Delagoa Bay, being everywhere there very
scarce. It is, however, said to be more plentiful in the independent
native territories of some of the maritime regions North of the
Limpopo. Its habits and characteristics are almost identical with
those of the smaller variety (Zragelaphus sylvaticus) found in the
Cape Colony, and it bears an equal reputation for savageness of
disposition.

40 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Nakong or Sitatunga (Zragelaphus spekei). Fig. 1,
Plate VIII.—( Waterskaap of the Emigrant Boers; Nakong
of the Bechuanas; Sitatunga of the Barotse, Makobas, and
Masieuvias.)

[Height of adult ram about 3 feet 7 inches. Body thick set; the
young, soon after birth, are very dark tn colour, almost approaching
black, and striped traversely in a similar manner to T. scriptus,
but according as the animal advances in age these stripes become
more and more tndefinable until completely lost on arriving at
maturity; hair of adults rs very long and woolly 1n texture.
General colour, dusty umbertsh brown, approaching white under-
neath and inside legs and shins; brown whtte spot on each cheek,
and white band across nose under the eyes; the hoofs, very much
elongated, sometimes exceed 6 tnches tn length, being totally devoid
of hatr behind up to the dew claw. When very young the animals
stand on the points of the hoofs. Horns almost indistingudshable
in shape from those of the Inyala, being more closely annulated,
however, sometimes attaining a length of 2 feet, but averaging 21
inches. Females horniless.|

In the sole companionship of malaria, mosquitoes, water fowls, and
noisome reptiles, this antelope, individually or in pairs, is only found
South of the Zambesi, frequenting the impenetrable swamps and
dense papyrus beds of Lake ’Ngami, the Okavango, Tamulakani;
Mababe, Maschabe, and Chobe Rivers. It is also said to be met
with along some of the great lakes of Central Africa. Never ven-
turing on the mainland, it is only during the hours of darkness that
it forsakes its watery haunts, and passes the night time in repose on
the drier ground of some small island overgrown with thick reeds or
dwarf palms, returning again before dawn to the fastnesses of the
morass, where, during the day, it feeds on the young sprouts of
aquatic vegetation. Owing to the disproportionate length of the
hoofs, as observed in the only living specimen as yet obtained, and
which is now located in the Zoological Gardens, London,* the

* The specimen referred to—a female—was found by the dead body of its dam,
which was shot by Mr. J. A. Nicolls (one of the authors) in the Taohe swamp, 40 miles
North of Lake ’Ngami, and was by him presented to the Zoological Society in the
latter part of 1890. An account of the circumstances under which it was found and
brought to England appeared in the Field, 1st March, 1891. The autelope at the
time of going to press (July, 1892) was in excellent health and condition.

Fig. 17.—THE Gemspuck (Oryx gasvlind.

Fig, 18.—THE KuirsprincEr (Oreotragus saltator ).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 41

progress of this antelope on hard ground is extremely awkward and
laboured. Their formation, however, enables it not alone to tread
with ease the network of papyrus roots and treacherous quagmires
in which it resorts, but also to swim with great strength and
rapidity. Although not possessed of the diving and other won-
derful capabilities attributed to the species by Major Serpa Pinto in
his story of African adventure, it will, on being pursued in canoes,
often conceal itself by submerging the entire body, the nostrils only
being exposed above the surface of the water. From the foregoing
remarks it may readily be conceived that any attempt to shoot the
Nakong is attended with circumstances of the most extreme difh-
culty; and it is only under very exceptional conditions that the
opportunity for a shot can be obtained. Mr. F. C. Selous mentions
in his book that, although he often tried hard, he never even
obtained a chance of securing a specimen alive or dead. Anyone
whose wanderings in the Interior of South Africa bring him to the
country frequented by this animal, and whose ambition as a sports-
man prompts him to endeavour to obtain one of these very rare
antelopes, is strongly recommended not to make the attempt on
foot, but to hire a canoe from some of the petty chiefs of the
Makoba or Masieuvia tribes, and in one of these take up a position
with his rifle close to the channels of open water in the reeds. A
windy day should be chosen, and the reeds—which, when withered
and dry, are highly inflammable—set on fire. The Nakongs, if
present, will, on the approach of the flames, endeavour to escape
across the open channels from one patch to another, possibly giving
the venturesome sportsman a chance of a shot. The flesh is
exceptionally rank and almost uneatable to a white man.

The Palla (Ayceros melampus). Fig. 3, Plate 1—(Rooibok
of the Dutch; Pa/a of the Bechuanas; Jmpala of the Mata-
bele.)

[Height of adult male about 3 feet 3 inches. General colour
bright reddish brown, darker above; belly white; the tarl about a
foot long, white at extremity, with browntsh streak down the middle.
fforns very graceful but irregular in growth, lyrate, broadly annu-
lated, averaging 16 inches from point to base, some, however,
measure as much as 21 inches from potut to base. Females horn-
less. Spoor about 23 inches, heart-shaped. |

42 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Ir is now only on rare occasions that the Palla is found in the
countries of the independent natives of the Bechuanaland Protec-
torate. A few herds still linger in the Transvaal along the Crocodile.
Almost exterminated in the regions through which the North-west
tributaries of that river flow, it is only when the Zambesi is reached
that the Palla is again to be frequently met in any number, which
they are at almost every place near its margin. On the Chobe
River it is still fairly common, being unknown on the Botletle, but
it is only after passing the shores of Lake ’Ngami, and reaching the
densely-wooded banks of the Taohe that the species again makes
its appearance in a Westerly direction. In those parts of Mashona-
land and Matabeleland where not subject to continual persecution,
it is fairly numerous. The Palla is highly gregarious, and frequents
the thick forest-clad banks of rivers, from which it never strays
except after periods of heavy rains, and then only when the pans and
vleys (which are always dry during the greater portion of the year)
are for a time filled with water. In remote parts not very much
frequented by man, the herds often exceed a hundred in number.
Where not continually disturbed, this antelope, so elegant and
graceful of motion, is not by any means shy when approached,
generally running but a short distance, and then standing and look-
ing back again, a habit which easily permits of its being stalked.
Its flesh is palatable.

The Lechwe (Kobus lechee). Fig. 22, Plate VII.—(Ledgwee
of the Bechuanas, Makobas, and Masieuvias.)

[Herght of adult male about 3% feet. General colour, reddish
yellow, darker and more red along the back of neck, back, and over
rump, paleing on the flanks; throat, breast, belly, and mside of
legs pure white; front of fore and portion of hind legs dark chest-
nut, hair curling on back of neck; tail short, with slender tuft at
end tipped with black, back portions of feet, as far up as the dew
claws, are, like the Nakong, totally devord of hair. Horns average
about 2 feet along the curve, being similar to the Waterbuck, but
more slender, curving forwards, and closely annulated to within a
third of the tip. Spoor about 2% inches, heart-shaped and oblong.]

Tue Lecuwe is first found on the road to the Zambesi where
the Botletle River on its Eastern course overflows portions of

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. ° 43

the Masarasara Flats, creating the vast marsh which is marked
on most maps as Lake Kumandau. The species is still plentiful,
and may often be met with in large herds on the swampy
margins of the Mababe, Tamulakani, and Chobe Rivers. At one
time common at Lake ’Ngami and in the great marshes of the
Okavango, of late years the Lechwe has become very scarce in those
localities. Although not actually living in the water like the Na-
kong, it is never met with out of sight of it, and is usually
observed wading in the flooded plains or cropping the rank grass and
sprouting reeds on the alluvial land from which water has recently
receded. Owing to their being constantly persecuted by natives for
the sake of their skins, which are held in greater estimation for
karosses than that of any other antelope, they are extremely shy, and
will not permit of approach nearer than 600 yards before running
off, which they do at a bounding gallop, often jumping high into
the air like the Springbuck, the nose at the same time being thrust
forwards and downwards. During some of the winter months large
herds, composed entirely of rams, associate together; and as this is
the period when the inundations usually occur, large areas of the
country being submerged, the Makobas and Masieuvias gather in
force and endeavour to drive the herds into the deep water, thus
forcing the animals to swim. They are then surrounded on all sides
by canoes, from which they are slaughtered in numbers with the
assegai. ‘The flesh is somewhat better flavoured than that of other
varieties of water antelopes.

The Pookoo (Kodus vardoni). Fig. 30, Plate VIII.—(Pookoo
of the Masieuvias.)

[Heaght about 3 feet 3 inches. Hatr long and coarse, curling
on the back of neck and down spine. General colour, light red,
inclined to orange, darker above, the white portions being more
tinged with yellow than the Lechwe. Horns resemble those of Reed-
buck, not, however, curving forwards so much as tn that specimen,
the average length being I4 inches along the curve. Females
hornless. Spoor 24 inches, similar to Reedbuck. )

In the portions of Africa treated of in this volume, this extremely
rare antelope is only found in one or two places about the conflu-
ence of the Zambesi and Chobe Rivers. Its habits and resorts are

44 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

almost similar to those of the Lechwe, not, however, being such
a water-loving animal as that variety. Although it never strays
any distance from water, it does not appear to enter it except when
pursued, confining its pasturage entirely to the dry land. The flesh
is very rank.

The Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus). Fig. 12, Plate IV.
(Kring-ghat of the Dutch; Zumogha of the Bechuanas; Li
Tumogha of the Matabele; Mashigi-gig of the Makobas and
Botletle.)

[Height of full-grown male often considerably more than 4 feet.
Body very thick set; legs and neck short and power ful; hatr, most
abundant about the neck, long, very coarse, of a untform colour of
grizzly brownish grey, very drstinct large white ring extends over
tail and round lower portion of rump, semt-collar of white under
chin, streak of white below each eye, tatl slender, rather short and
tufted. Average length of horns about 27 inches, but sometimes
attaining to 31 along the curve, lyrate, broadly and boldly annu-
lated almost to tips, greyish-brown. Females hornless. Spoor
3% inches, extremely narrow tn comparison wrth other species, and
very pointed. |

Tus fine game-looking and stately antelope is now only rarely met
with in some of the unfrequented districts on the Northern confines
of the Transvaal in the neighbourhood of the Crocodile, and more
occasionally in the low country towards Delagoa Bay. On the
upper banks of that river and some of its tributaries it is still fairly
abundant, as also in portions of Mashonaland where not recently
driven out. In the sparely visited countries of the independent
native tribes bordering the East Coast, between the mouths of the
Zambesi and Crocodile, as also in the broken country along the
Zambesi itself, and most of the streams of Northern Matabeleland, it
is still very plentiful. West of the Crocodile, the Waterbuck is
first found in the bush country lining the Botletle, Tamulakani or
Tumoghanokani, Okavango and Chobe Rivers. It may be met with
in small herds (generally composed of one old male and the rest
females) either in flat or broken country, but it generally frequents
the latter, being invariably found within easy reach of water, to
which it will always head and enter when pursued; or if wounded

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 45

and hard pressed it takes refuge in any thick reed-beds which may
be close at hand. Although a decidedly heavy and short-legged
animal, it will gallop through the most irregular and precipitous
ground with great speed and activity, and is one of the most dan-
gerous of all South African antelopes to approach when wounded.
The flesh is unfit for white men, and is so rank that only hungry

natives will eat it.

The Hartebeest (Budalis caama). Fig. 13, Plate 1V.—( Harie-
beeste of the Dutch; Khama of the Bechuanas; Ama of the
Masarwas.)

[Average height about 4 feet. General colour, reddish brown,
with violet tinge throughout, dark plum-coloured saddle-patch,
commencing at potnt of shoulder, extends over entire surface of
back and ends in root of tad, stmilar patch continues over each
shoulder, downwards, as far as knees, and front of shin bones of
fore legs; pale yellowish patch on cheeks of rump; front of face,
which ws very long and narrow, almost black, as 1s a stripe down
back of neck. Horns about 15 inches from potnt to base, varying
considerably in stze, thickly knotted at base, curving obtusely
Sorwards and then as acutely backwards at a sharp angle. Female
has horns which are more slender, Spoor 32 tnches, shaped very
much like Koodoo, but considerably broader at heel tn proportion.)

Tue HarTEBEEST is not found in the Cape Colony proper, except,
perhaps, on a couple of preserved farms. A few troops still linger on
the North-west borders of Griqualand West, in the Hay and Barkly
West districts, where, however, they are protected for a period of
three years. In the Western portions of Bechuanaland, and parti-
cularly in the neighbourhood of Hoening Vley and the lower Molopo,
they are fairly plentiful, as well as through the independent native
territories in the Bechuanaland Protectorate on the verge of the
Kalahari, and the North-western districts of the Transvaal bounded
by the Crocodile River. In the heart of the Northern Kalahari, on
both banks of the Botletle River, and as far up as the Mababe Flats, as
well as in Great Namaqualand, it is still, in places, extremely numerous,
and may often be met with in large herds. The species is now rather
uncommon in Damaraland, and is unknown in Eastern Matabeleland
or Mashonaland. The Hartebeest generally associates in herds of

46 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

about a dozen, but they may still often be met with in troops
exceeding a hundred. Next to the Tsessebe it is the fleetest and
most enduring of the larger antelopes of South Africa, and with its
long striding gallop is always able to keep its distance in front of the
best shooting horse in a tail-on chase. It is not, however, a very
difficult animal to shoot, as in making off it will invariably head dead
up against the wind, and thus give easy opportunities for cross-
cutting. Moreover, it is rather stupid, and a bullet fired so as to strike
the ground somewhere in advance of a retreating herd will either
turn them back in the direction of the shooter, or bring the lot to a
standstill, in which position they will often remain in amazement
until the pursuer gallops up close at hand. If the couple of old
males that generally head the herd can be shot or otherwise
separated from the main body, the remainder appear to become
utterly bewildered, and will start running in circles, instead of
making off in any particular direction. The Hartebeest is never
met with in very thick bush or hilly country, but frequents either
the bare open flats or plains sparsely covered with camel-thorn trees
(Acacta giraffe), and where there are treeless glades to be met
with. It is capable of existing for lengthened periods without water,
but in a much lesser degree than the Giraffe, Eland, or Gemsbuck,
and may sometimes be seen, in the driest seasons, in the very heart
of the Kalahari devoid of permanent water. The females, when
heavy with young, drink regularly. It may be worth mentioning
that the brain cavity of this species is situated high up, almost be-
tween the base of the horns, and several instances could be cited
where these antelopes have been killed outright by the simple con-
cussion sustained through the bullets striking the horn. Standing
so much higher at the shoulder than at the rump, the general
appearance of this antelope is very ungainly. The flesh is fairly

good.

The Lichtenstein Hartebeest (Budalis lichtensteini). Fig. 14,
Plate 1V.—(Konze of the Masieuvias; /nkulanondo of the

Mashonas. )

[ln size and shape resembling the foregoing, but has several dis-
tinguishing marks. Colour much lighter, of a uniform saffron, with
a golden tinge throughout, patch on ferehead and down centre of nose,
as also saddle patch extending from point of shoulder to root of tail,

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 47

not being much deeper in colour than rest of body, front of shin bones,
including knees, of a dark rich plum; head rather shorter and forehead
broader than the Hartebeest. Horns shorter and flatter at the base,
and not so obtusely bent forwards. The females are horned, but more
slender. Spoor slightly larger, but same shape as Hartebcest. |

Tuts antelope is only met with South of the Zambesi in some of the
countries in the direction of the East Coast between that river and
the Crocodile. It is plentiful in Umzeila’s country and the neigh-
bourhood of the Eastern course of the Sabi, and is in every respect
similar in its habits to its congener (fig. 13, plate IV.)

The Blue Wildebeest (Cannochetes taurinus). Fig. 8,
Plate Ill.—Blaauw Wildebeest or Brindled gnu of the
Dutch; Azwkon of the Bechuanas; Jn-kone-kone of the Mata-
bele.)

[Height of adult male about 4 feet 3 inches. General colour, bluish
grizaly, blackish brown in places, approaching to slate, striped with
obscure darker coloured vertical bands; body slopes away towards
rump; mane heavy and bristling, extending considerably down back;
brisket and under portion of tip covered with shaggy development of
hair, tail long, black, flowing, resembling that of a horse. Horns
spreading from 20 to 26 inches, points bending upwards and sharply
inwards, those of the cow being considerably smaller. Spoor 4 inches,
heart-shaped, broad at the heel and rather blunt at the points of hoofs. |

Tue Brut Wirpeseest (by which name it is generally known
throughout South Africa) is, practically, extinct in the Cape Colony
and the Orange Free State. It is now only first met with in its
most Southern range on the lower borders of the Kalahari, through
which the Molopo River flows in its most Western limits, a few
troops, last year, straying Eastward to within thirty miles of Mafe-
king, in Bechuanaland. Along the Western borders of Kanya,
Sichele’s country, and in the heart of the Kalahari, it is still fairly
plentiful. In the Lake ’Ngami districts on both banks of the
Botletle River, and from thence right up to the Chobe and Zambesi,
it is quite common in suitable localities, and, at the present time,
large troops may be seen on the Ma-Chara-Chara and Mababe Flats,
and the country surrounding the great salt-pans of Makari Kari,
through which the main road passes to the Victoria Falls. In some

48 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

portions of Matabeleland it is also plentiful. In the Transvaal,
except in some of the Northern districts along the Crocodile River,
it is very scarce, being extremely numerous, however, in the low
country about the Sabi and Busi Rivers. Although large herds of
Wildebeest may frequently be observed grazing together on the
same plain in close proximity, it is now unusual to find one exceed-
ing fifty in number. Occasionally an old bull will separate from the
remainder of the troop and adopt the companionship of some other
description of game, preferably Quaggas or the Ostrich, and with
which they appear to associate on terms of the greatest harmony.
In appearance this antelope is very strongly suggestive of the
American bison on a smaller scale, but their heavy, clumsy, and
ungainly appearance belie their capabilities for speed, as they will
run with considerable swiftness and great endurance indifferently
either up or down wind. When pursued they gallop in single file,
the cows in the van and the old bulls in the rear, performing the
most peculiar antics imaginable. Of a wandering and restless habit,
they do not frequent any particular spot for any lengthened period,
but are invariably on the move in their migration from one resort to
another. Like the majority of the other larger antelope of South
Africa, the Wildebeest is, at the present day, always hunted on
horseback, and the question of successful chase depends less on
stratagem than on the speed and stamina of the hunter’s horse, and
his own accuracy of aim. They frequent open flats, but may often
be met with in thickly wooded country, never approaching water
except at night. The flesh is only suitable for dz/tong, and is very
coarse.

The Black Wildebeest (Cannochetes gnu). Fig. 25, Plate VII.
—(Zwart Wildebeest of the Dutch.)

[Height of adult male about 3 feet ro inches. General colour, deep
umber brown, verging to black; neck thick and arched, surmounted by
upright mane of slate-coloured coarse hair; upper part of face, dewlap,
chest, and portion of belly covered with bushy, brownish black hair;
rump sloping and assinine, eyes fierce; legs slender; tail long and white.
Hforns along curve, about 20 inches, branching downwards, slightly
outwards, turning abruptly upwards, forming a complete hook.
Females with horns, but more slender. Spoor 3% inches, narrow, heart-
shaped. |

Plate VI.

plain
Fig. 19 —Tue TsEssepe (Damalis lunatus ).
Fig. 20.—Tue Sprinepuck (Gazella euchore).

ss Tae ww
Fic, 21.—Tue Evanp (Oreas canna).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 49

Tuis strange, spiteful-looking antelope, like its congener the Blue
Wildebeest, is now almost extinct in the Cape Colony, except on a
few preserved farms in Victoria West, and it is unknown North of
the Orange and Crocodile Rivers. Its habits are very similar to the
species above mentioned, being, however, whimsical and extremely
ungainly, and presenting an appearance of ferocity which it does not
possess. As it evinces an abundance of curiosity, and is not by any
means shy or timid, it is easily shot. The Black Wildebeest is
gregarious, and frequents open plains sometimes remote from water.
Flesh coarse and unpalatable.

The Gemsbuck (Oryx gazella). Fig. 17, Plate V—(Gemsbok
of the Dutch; Kukham of the Bechuanas; Kaw of the
Masarwas. )

[Herght of adult male about 4 feet, occastonally larger. General
colour, fawnish grey; dark brown patches on arms under shoulder,
continuing direct along the flanks over white of belly; lower portion
of haunch patched stmilarly,; face, brown and white, alternately
striped lengthwise; narrow brown stripe extending from throat
down centre of neck as far as breast; body very stout; neck par-
ticularly thick and powerful, tail long and coarse. Horns
average 3 feet 2 inches, sometimes attaining 3 feet 6 inches,
straight, round, tapering, well annulated. Horns of female longer,
occasionally reaching to 4 feet, being much narrower at base than
those of male. Spoor, slightly under 4 tnches, heart-shaped, rather
blunt at the points of hoof.)

Herps of this antelope are only found in the far recesses of
the Kalahari where there is no permanent surface water, the only
approachable portions of this district which are frequented by the
species in dry seasons being in the angle formed by the Botletle
River, where, after following an almost due Easterly course, it
bends sharply to the South. Northward of that river, and as
far up as the Mababe Flats, and around the great salt-pans, it is
also still rather plentiful. The Gemsbuck never approaches per-
manent water-courses, and it is only after heavy rains, when the
vileys are filled, that it ever drinks at all. There is, however, a
species of wild water-melon, resembling a cucumber, which grows
luxuriantly in sandy places, even in the very driest season, and this
D

50 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

antelope, in common with the Eland, partakes of it largely. From
the fact that there has been for more than one year a total absence of
rain in the Kalahari, or at least quantity in sufficient to be retained
on the surface of the soil, and when from some unexplained cause
the melon crop referred to has often failed entirely, it is tolerably
certain that this antelope is capable of existing without water, at
least for many months. It has been argued that in the absence of
this melon the Gemsbuck and Eland find a substitute in a certain
large white-coloured juicy root, resembling in size and shape a
Swede turnip, but this explanation is scarcely tenable, for, although
such a tuber undoubtedly exists, it is invariably found so deeply
engrafted in the soil as to make it quite a matter of impossibility for
any antelope to upropt it, no matter what the formation of its
horns or hoofs may be. A great many stories have been told in the
past by famous hunters and travellers as to the beauty, ferocity, and
-wonderful fleetness of this antelope, but whether the Gemsbuck of
the present day has deteriorated or not, it certainly is not in the
possession of these qualities in any marked degree. Its horns are
unquestionably fine and its face prettily marked, but in other
respects the general appearance of the animal is heavy and unim-
posing. When wounded or brought to bay, it will no doubt defend
itself with vigour and desperation, using its formidable horns with
such effect as to deal immediate death to any dog which rashly
approaches it, but otherwise its ferocity does not by any means
equal that of the Roan Antelope or Waterbuck. In regard to
speed, it will keep in front of the ordinary shooting horse for a short
distance ; but, taking it all round, it is, perhaps, one of the easiest of
the larger antelope to gallop up to, and can in no respect equal the
Giraffe, Hartebeest, Wildebeest or Tsessebe for fleetness or endur-
ance. Its flesh is very fair.

The Sable Antelope (Aippotragus niger). Fig. 5, Plate II.—
(Zwaart vit-pens of the Dutch; Kualata Inchu of the Bechu-
anas; Umtigele of the Matabele.) ‘

[Herght of full-grown bull seldom exceeds 4 feet 6 inches.
General colour above, very dark shining brown, being almost black
in some individuals; belly and under portion of stern pure white;
forchead and upper portion of face dark brown, a white stripe com-
mencing over both eyes and extending to nose, followed underneath

i.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 51

by another of light brown, chin and beneath white; mane,
brownish and black, long and standing, tail black and long.
Florns average a little more than 3 feet, but are known to occa-
sionally attain to 3 feet 8 inches, scimttar-shaped, arched back-
wards, and well annulated. Females have smaller horns. Spoor
3% inches, heart-shaped. |

THE range of this magnificent and imposing antelope (which is
occasionally called the Harrisbuck after its discoverer Captain W.
Cornwallis Harris) does not, as a rule, extend Westward of the road
passing the Makari Kari salt-pans and Pandamatenka to the Victoria
Falls. An odd stray herd may, however, be occasionally met with in
the vicinity of the Chobe River. In portions of North Matabeleland
it is still common, as also in such parts of Mashonaland where it has not
been driven away through the exploitation of that country by the
British South Africa Company. In the low districts of the East
Coast it is very plentiful. It occasionally associates in herds up to
fifty, but usually in groups under twenty in number, in which only
one old male is to be found, the remainder being cows or young
males. When not over fat, it is a matter of difficulty to run it
down on horseback, and is a dangerous animal to closely approach
when wounded. The flesh is excellent.

The Roan Antelope (/ippotragus equinus). Fig. 7, Plate II.
—(Bastard Ehland of the Dutch; Kwadata of the Bechuanas ;
Etaka of the Matabele; Kwar of the Masarwas.)

[Height of adult male about 4 feet 8 inches, but some specimens
have measured fully 5 feet. General colour, light grizzled reddish
grey, changing very much tn hue according to the locality found; fore

part of face and chin, and semt-circular patch over eyes, whtte,
black patch on forehead and cheeks, extending a short distance

- down neck; belly and front of each thigh, white; dark stripe down
centre of lower portion of chest, and patch of same above knee-
Joints of fore legs; thin stiff mane, terminating near hollow
of back, almost black; large tuft of wiry hatr under neck.
Florns average 2 feet 4 inches on the curve, sometimes attaining
2 feet 9 inches, placed almost above eyes, scimitar-shaped, round,
fully ringed. Females horned. Spoor 4 inches, heart-shaped, and
broad at heel.)

De

52 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Tuis fine looking antelope is now very rarely found on the upper
and lower banks of the Botletle River, about the Mababe Flats,
Great Makari Kari salt-pans, and Chobe country. In the less
frequented portions of Matabeleland it is still fairly common,
and although once plentiful in Mashonaland, it is now almost
driven out of that country through the influx of prospectors, being,
however, very numerous in the low country towards the East
Coast. The Roan Antelope is usually found in troops numbering
from six to twelve, and chiefly resorts to countries abounding with
low hilly ridges. Although its appearance when galloping is very
heavy, it can nevertheless get along with rapidity; and possessing
considerable endurance, in this respect it far exceeds the Gems-
buck. It is of a particularly shy disposition, and when grazing,
every now and then raises the head, looking around in every direc-
tion as if in constant expectation of danger. When wounded it is
the most dangerous of all African antelopes, and if hunted hard
will often turn and charge. furiously, even when uninjured. Its
powers of scent are particularly strong, and on detecting the slightest
breath of “tainted” air it will at once start running. The flesh is
fairly good.

The Koodoo (Strepsiceros kudu). Fig. 1, Plate 1—(Kudu of
the Dutch; Zolo of the Bechuanas; Le-bala-bala of the
Matabele; oro of the Mashonas; Unskwa of the Makobas).

[Height of adult male often 5 feet. General colour, bluish rufous
grey, two or three white spots on each cheek, together with white bands
on upper portion of nose immediately under eyes, pale stripe down spine,
from which half-a-dozen indistinct white bands branch downwards
towards belly, being more definite in those found in the Zambest regions
than those further South; ears extremely large and prominent; tail
tipped with sable. Horns average 3 feet, sometimes attaining to 3 feet
Io inches, bulky, spiral, wrinkled at base. Females horniess. Spoor
3 inches, heart-shaped, rather narrow at heel. |

Ir is pleasing to state that, notwithstanding the continual persecu-
tion by both natives and white men, this majestic and graceful
antelope is still to be widely found in favourable localities, and is
plentifully distributed almost throughout South-central Africa. The
day is past, however, when it can fairly be included in the list of the

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 53

wild game of the Cape Colony proper, the Orange Free State, or
Natal, as in those countries it is preserved on only a few farms in a
semi-domestic state. At the moment of writing some few troops
still linger in the Northern portions of the Transvaal, and also in
the thick bush of the lower Molopo in Bechuanaland, and the
Western end of the Machapong range in the Bakwaina country.
Since Khama (the chief of the Bamangwatos) changed the residence
of his people about two years ago to Palapye, the Koodoo is again
resorting in scattered troops to the hills surrounding the old town of
Shoshong. Three years ago plentiful in the bush on both banks of
the Crocodile River in its North-western course, it is now almost
driven out from this latitude by the advance of civilization. In
some portions of Mashonaland and Manicaland, throughout Mata-
beleland and the Zambesi districts, as well as in the regions of
Lake ’Ngami, it is still perhaps the most common of the larger
antelopes. Ornamented with its magnificent spiral horns, the
beautiful head erect on a symmetrically formed and stately body,
the bull Koodoo, if not the largest of its genus, certainly has an air
of nobility and independence far greater than that possessed by any
other antelope in the world. The species is gregarious, a troop
generally averaging six and rarely exceeding twenty in number,
being sometimes composed wholly of males, and at other periods
entirely of females. Of an extremely shy and timid nature,
the Koodoo during the daytime frequents the dense thorn-bush
thickets, or the wooded slopes and eminences of stony kopyjzes,
generally, but not always, somewhere in the vicinity of permanent
water, wandering long distances during the wet season from its
usual haunts from one rain pool or pan to another. In unfre-
quented localities, and particularly during the early hours of the
day, herds may occasionally be seen grazing on open flats; and
when come upon under such favourable circumstances, they can
be galloped up to on horseback without much difficulty, as, although
capable of darting in and out through the most inaccessible bush
with astounding celerity notwithstanding the weight and length
of the horns, their gallop in the open is clumsy and slow. In follow-
ing up the spoor (which, considering the dimensions of the animal,
is extremely small) in cover, on foot, the utmost stealth and caution
should be observed, as the Koodoo is provided with an exquisite
sense of sight, hearing, and scent; and its body, although large, is
extremely difficult to distinguish in the dense thorn-bush, which is

54 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

very similar in colour to the skin of the antelope itself. Its
movements are so rapid and noiseless that at one moment it may be
observed and the next have disappeared without the slightest sound.
The hide is very endurable and much sought after by wagon drivers,
who make it into voorslag (leashes) for ox whips. The flesh is

particularly good, and the marrow bones are specially recommended
as a luxury.

The Eland (Oreas canna). Fig. 21, Plate VI—(£h/land of the
Dutch; Pohu of the Bechuanas; Jmpohu of the Matabele;
Mohu of the Mashonas; Doo of the Masarwas.)

THE appearance of this animal, the largest of all known antelopes,
whether in Africa or elsewhere, has so often been described and
portrayed, that a few remarks on the subject will be sufficient.
The Eland bull of the Kalahari often stands 6 feet at the shoulder,
and occasionally exceeds that height. Further North it considerably
decreases in size, and changes greatly in ‘colour; so much so that
Mr. Selous says that the Elands shot by him North of the Zambesi
‘are beautifully marked, having nine broad white stripes on each
side, and a dark black line down the centre of the back.” This is
the Eland which Dr. Livingstone has described, and which has
been by some considered an entirely new variety. Indeed, Colonel
Faddy, R.A., who had the good fortune to shoot several specimens
of this particular type when in South Africa, was generally dis-
credited after he had specifically referred to its characteristics, until
he produced their skins in verification of his statements. Those
found on the South of the Botletle bear no such white marks
as those above referred to, but are’of a uniformly bluish-grey
dun colour, while those frequenting the Northern banks of that
river are marked more or less indistinctly. The foreheads of the
old bulls are adorned with a thick tuft of wiry brown hair; the
dewlap is excessively prominent and fringed with long hair of a.
deep brown colour; tail over 2 feet in length, with a tuft of hair
at the extremity, its general appearance being very characteristic of
a stall-fed ox. Horns of the males average a little over 2 feet,
occasionally measuring 30 inches, massive, nearly straight, spiral.
Those of the females are more slender, averaging about 28 inches,
sometimes attaining to 34 inches, divergent and twisted. The
spoor is difficult to distinguish from that of a three-year old ox,
except that on examination the points of the hoof will be found to

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 55

be pressed together on the ground without leaving any intervening
mark. The Eland still frequents the interior of the Kalahari, and
roams in herds in those portions which are inaccessible to the
hunter, except during a short period after rains. In all that large
belt of almost waterless country stretching from Reitfontein, on the
borders of Damaraland, to the old wagon road from Shoshong to the
Botletle, it is to-day common, seldom, however, approaching nearer
than twenty miles of the banks of that river. From a short distance
North of the Botletle, right up to the Chobe, and in the country
between the latter river and the Zambesi, it is also plentiful, but
in places difficult of access. In a few favoured districts of Matabele-
land, and particularly in Lobengula’s own preserve, it can be found,
but is now almost driven out of Mashonaland. The Bushmen—for the
more ready discovery of the different edible roots on which, in the
absence of meat, they principally subsist—are in the habit during
the dry seasons of the year of burning off the long withered grass
from the surface of whole districts, which causes the Eland to
constantly wander to and fro in search of the young grass; and which,
unassisted by rain, in a very short time after such conflagrations
begins to sprout. In conjunction with this young grass and the
wild melon, the antelope derives a considerable amount of moisture.
Although it is an exceptional circumstance to find the bulls drinking
at the rivers or permanent zeys, the cows, however, when heavy in
young, constantly do so when possible, and it is to them a matter
almost of necessity when in such a condition to imbibe a more than
ordinary supply of liquid. The Eland is much more partial to
forest-clad rolling sand belts than to sparsely wooded open flats, and
may usually be found herding in the mopani bush, to the leaves
and young sprouts of which, like the Giraffe, it is extremely partial.
When excessively fat (which they generally are), this antelope on
being hunted on horseback, and if hard pressed from the start, will
get winded and tire rapidly; but, on the other hand, when in poor
condition, and more especially in the case of the cows, they can
get along with most unexpected rapidity and endurance—in these
respects equalling if not excelling the efforts of the Gemsbuck. The
first symptoms shown by an Eland of being ‘pumped out” when
pursued is when it breaks from a gallop into the trot (see remarks on
Large Game, page 17). The flesh is greatly relished, and possesses
a large amount of fat, which is in the main absent from other ante
lopes.

56 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Damaraland Antelope (Vanotragus damarensis).

[Aeight about 22 inches. Colour of back finely grizzled with black
and yellow, replaced by grey, all the hairs being distinctly ringed with
black, the predominant grey colour of the rump and outer side of
the thighs being a distinguishing mark from other species; skin of
Jorelegs bare of hair. Horns of adult male 27% inches long, with
prominent irregular ridges, about seven in number, circling the base.
Femates similar in colour but hornless.]

For the above description of this practically unknown species we
are indebted to Dr. A. Ginther, F.R.S., who first brought it to the
notice of the scientific world in the Proceedings of the Zoological
Society of January, 1880. Mr. Ericksson, the well-known Damara-
land hunter and companion of Andersson, presented the first male
specimen to the Capetown Museum; and he states that it fre-
quents the rocky hills in the vicinity of Omaruru, in Damara-
land, about 1° North of Walfish Bay, but it is very hard to obtain
in consequence of its wonderful agility, its inaccessible haunts ren-
dering the difficulty much greater.

The Triangulated-horned Antelope (Aziilope triangularis).
—Fig. 37.

Ir this species of antelope ever existed, it owes its discovery in the
first instance to Mr. Moreton Green, of Natal, who submitted a pair
of horns to Dr. A. Gunther, F.R.S., the keeper of the Zoological
Department of the British Museum, by whom the supposed new
variety was prominently brought to public notice in the Proceedings
of the Zoological Society of February 19th, 1889, whose remarks
are based on the horns above alluded to and a small portion of
the skull which was attached to them. . Mr. Green stated that he
obtained this specimen many years ago through the instrumentality
of a hunter who was trading for him in the Zambesi regions. This
man had told him that he had bartered the horns from a native
chief, who in turn said the animal was exceedingly scarce. Dr.
Ginther says: ‘The horns are evidently those of a very old
animal . . . gently curved backwards, showing the slightest indi-
cation of a twist near the top; they measure 31 inches along the
curve, and 30 in a straight line from the base to tip. The distance
of their ends is 22 inches. A transverse section taken 3 inches from

Plate VII.

Fig. 23.—Tue Reepuucg (Certicapra ar undinuney.

25.—TueE BLack WILDEBEEST
(Connochates gnu).

g
ee

Fig. 26.—Tue DuiKer Fig. 27.—Tue BontTesuck (Damalis pygarga).
(Cephalolophus grimm?).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 57

their base would represent a triangle . . . Of the known genera of
antelopes, none approach this singular type more nearly than the
Tragelaphus. Tragelaphus has, likewise, horns trihedral in shape
at the base, and, if we imagined the longitudinal axis of the horns
of our specimen twisted outwards, a form of horn would be produced
which could not be separated from Zragelaphus. And there is
no doubt that the ancestral form of Zragelaphus must have
resembled or been identical with our type. But without being
acquainted with the cranial, dental, or other characters, it would
seem to me premature to offer an opinion as to its generic relations,
or even to give a distinct generic term, much as the shape of the

Fig. 37. —Tue TRIANGULATED-HORNED ANTELOPE (Antilope triangularis).

horns differs from that of all other known antelopes. It therefore
seems to me to be sufficient to distinguish it for the present as a
species of Antelope in the Cuvierian sense, viz., as Antilope triangu-
farzs.” In addition to Dr. Ginther’s remarks, it may be interesting
to observe that five years ago Mr. H. Boyne (a well-known trader in
Sichele’s country) had a pair of horns almost exactly resembling those
above described, and from whom they came into the possession of one of
the authors, but it is regrettable that they were subsequently mislaid.
Mr. Boyne was unable to state from whence they originally came,
but those of Sichele’s people who saw the specimen were unanimous
in delaring that they at one time adorned the head of a cow Koodoo.

58 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Without going so far as to place any reliance whatever on the
report or opinion of any African native, it may be suggested that
the specimen in the Natural History Museum and that of Mr.
Boyne will both eventually be found to be nothing more than
a malformation of the horns of the Koodoo bull. In any case strong
argument may be advanced against the Antilope triangularis being
considered a distinct species. In the first place, even going back
for so long a period as twenty years, the antelopes frequenting the
Zambesi regions were at least fairly well known, and if one that
had not previously been described, and possessing the marked
characteristics of that under discussion, had actually existed, it is
only reasonable to assume that the many intelligent sportsmen
who have visited, and traders who have resided there, would have
at least heard and given some report, however meagre, upon such
an important subject. It is also well known that African natives
of the Interior, after killing a head of game, and cutting up and
removing the carcass, invariably leave the horns where the animal
originally fell; and these, if only exposed for a short time to the
influence of the weather, become completely worm-eaten. On the
other hand, those described by Dr. Gunther are in a state of almost
perfect preservation, and for this reason it may be presumed that
they could not have been long removed from the animal to which
they originally belonged, before falling into the hands of the trader
from whom Mr. Green obtained them. The wider publicity given
to these particulars will, we trust, lead to this extremely interesting
question being determined one way or the other.

OTHER GAME.

The Elephant (Elephas africanus).—Oliphant of the Dutch;
Chiloo of the Bechuanas; Jncubu of the Matabele.

[The outward appearance of the African Elephant is distinguished
Srom the Astatic species by the remarkable size and expanse of the ears,
the presence of well developed tusks tn the females, the formation of the
head (the forehead being convex instead of concave), and the possession
of only three nails on the hind feet. |

Twenty years ago the Elephant was distributed all over the tropical
portions of South Africa, in some places in enormous quantities.
The advance of civilization, and the introduction of breech-loading
rifles among the native tribes, has contributed to their extermina-
tion with astonishing rapidity. It is regrettable to state that—
with the exception of a few scattered herds which still remain in
the most unfrequented portions of Matabeleland, and the extremity
of North-eastern Mashonaland—they are now only met with in
anything like reasonable quantities in the impenetrable bush of the
low-lying coast country in the region of Sofala Bay. A few herds
may possibly exist in the extreme North and North-east of Ovam-
boland bordering on the Cunene and Okavango Rivers ; but if so,
they are only a few tuskless males or young females. The last herd
frequenting the Botletle and the neighbourhood of Lake ’Ngami
was completely destroyed three years ago by Moremi’s Bechuanas,
and although a good many are certainly to be met with in the
country between the Chobe and Zambesi, it is improbable that they
will survive the attacks of the Barotse natives during the next two
or three years. It may be mentioned that the Elephant is pre-
served by the Colonial Government in some of the forest country of
the Eastern provinces of the Cape Colony, but as it is a matter of
extreme difficulty to obtain a permit (which, when granted, costs
#20 for the right to shoot a single*specimen), no one is recom-

60 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

mended to avail himself of this opportunity of sport; as, even in
the event of the permit being issued, the Elephants are seldom
met with.

Previous to the incursions of white men in search of ivory, and
the consequent introduction of fire-arms, it was only on rare
occasions that the aborigines were enabled by the aid of their rude
weapons to make any impression on the tough hide and huge body
of the Elephant; indeed, it then roamed the forest with little fear
of any living creature. Times changed, and whilst still frequenting
in multitudes districts wholly free from the tsetse fly, the white
hunters came in on horseback and with their deadly rifles
slaughtered thousands with little danger and less fatigue. Those
days have passed, and the Elephants, with few exceptions, have
been driven into places quite inaccessible to horses. Anyone now
desirous of being in a position to say that he has succeeded in
‘laying low” a specimen of the largest of existing quadrupeds and
one of the most dangerous of African game, must be prepared to
encounter the brutes on foot, sometimes with nothing to depend
upon for escape but his own steady aim, and, may be, the length of
his legs, as well as undergoing extreme hardships of many descriptions.

The hunting of the Elephant is an inexhaustible subject to deal
with, but it will be sufficient to give a few hints which may possibly
be of use to a beginner at this form of sport. Possessed of very bad
sight, but with an exquisite sense of smell, no great danger may be
apprehended, when the wind is favourable, from creeping right up
alongside a single one; but, when there are a lot close together, the
case is different, as in the stampede which follows the firing of the
first shot, the terrified and confused animals may run right on top
and trample the hunter before an opportunity is afforded him
of getting out of the way. Owing to the formation of the head
and the backward portion of the brain-pan, a shot direct in front is
often worse than useless. The concussion may on a few occasions
stop a determined charge, but as a matter of fact it more often
induces one. When this happens, however, and the trunk is
elevated, which leaves the chest completely exposed, a bullet may
be planted with deadly effect in the region of the heart ; but it must
not be expected that an animal when charging will always elevate
the trunk and give this opportunity. On the other hand, if a side
shot be offered at one which is standing quite still, the brain may
easily be penetrated if the bullet is directed true on the outer

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 61

edge of the central portion of the ear; but the mo-t vulnerable
point of any is the shoulder, for should the heart be missed the
bone may be smashed and the animal rendered helpless, and con-
sequently incapable of making away or charging.

Old cows, and especially the “queens” (barren females), will be
found more difficult to deal with than the bulls, as they are always
ready to charge, even when unwounded, and experienced hunters
on finding one ina herd that seems inclined to prove troublesome, will
take the precaution of despatching her prior to engaging the bulls,
although her tusks may possibly be worthless. An infuriated
Elephant, when charging, utters shrill, trumpeting screams in quick
succession, and should one of its persecutors have the ill-luck to
be overtaken, these are continued until the remains of the unfor-
tunate individual present nothing but a pounded and unrecognisable
mass of flesh. In the winter months, when the dense cover (which
usually consists of the hack-thorn) is denuded of leaves, and much
resembles the leaden hue of the hide of these animals, it is extremely
difficult to distinguish one when motionless, no matter how close
at hand it may be. Like the Buffalo it often conceals itself when
wounded, waiting on its pursuers, who, intent only on tracing the
spoor, may unknowingly attain a degree of propinquity to the game
not by any means desirable. When the wind is favourable, if an
Elephant be startled and gets on the move before a shot can be fired,
it can with fair running be headed by the native attendants and driven
back towards the guns, a shout from the Kafhrs in advance being
generally sufficient to turn a whole herd. Even when on horseback
the first rush of these animals cannot alwaysbe avoided, but on settling
down to their ordinary pace, which is a quick walk, any fair runner
can on foot outpace them for a short distance, provided the country
is fairly open and the bush not too dense.

Elephants are capable of ascending steep and rugged hills with
remarkable ease considering their bulk, and descend with great
speed and extraordinary agility. In the tropical portions of South
Africa the direction of the wind cannot be depended upon for any
length of time, and in this lies the chief difficulty in Elephant
hunting. As before remarked, they are able to scent a human
being at almost incredible distances, and on feeling the slightest
breath of tainted air will instantly start off and keep at a quick pace
for hours and hours without halting for an instant. On the other
hand, their sight is so wretched that if one were to stand perfectly

62 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

still, even out in the open, a whole troop might possibly pass at close
quarters without showing the slightest signs of detection; but this,
of course, could not possibly happen unless the wind were favour-
able. The exact direction of the latter can readily be ascertained
by simply throwing a handful of sand into the air. Anyone under
the impression that the huge spoor of an Elephant can at all times
be traced with the greatest facility will, in actual experience, be
grievously disappointed. Broken down bushes and grass is evidence
easily recognisable of the passing of one, but when these are absent
and the spoor leads into hard bare ground, it requires the practised
acuteness of the Kafirs to follow it with any reasonable speed.
When hunted hard in the great heat of the sun, they can be come
up to much quicker than at other times, and one of the surest signs:
of an Elephant being “dead beat” is when it inserts the trunk into
the stomach and, withdrawing it, ejects water all over its back.

An almost nightly supply of water is necessary for the existence
of these pachyderms, but it is unusual to find them drinking in the
day time; and when the sun is hot they retire into the recesses of
the thickest jungle, where they pass the hours standing in sleep.
If disturbed at such a moment they are inclined to be far more
aggressive than at others. When persecuted for any lengthened
period in a particular district, they entirely forsake it, nor do they
return to it for perhaps along time. The flesh is excessively coarse
and rank, although all natives hold a contrary opinion. Some
portions of the trunk are eatable, while the heart is very acceptable
to a hungry hunter. A baked foot was in days gone by considered
quite a delicacy, but modern appetites are unable to agree with the
tradition.

The Black Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros bicornis). Fig. 35,
Plate X.—(Zwaart Rhinaster of the Dutch; Borele or Keitloa
of the Bechuanas; Ufeygan of the Matabele.)

[The black prehenstle-lipped Rhinoceros 1s distinguished from
the R. simus by its wferior size and strongly projecting pointed
upper lip, which enables it the more readily to browse on twigs, leaves,
and roots, on which food it entirely subsists; ears short and rounded,
tipped with coarse hair; posterior horn much varies in size in different
animals, being in some a mere excrescence, and tn others developed to

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 63

a length exceeding the anterior, both being round; nostrils round;
eyes sttuated low down and forwards. Spoor exhibits the ¢mpression
of the three toes pointing almost directly forwards. |

Tue general understanding that there were four distinct varieties of
Rhinoceros inhabiting South Africa, viz., the A. szmus, R. oswells,
R. keitlea, and R. bicornis, seems to have been first disputed by
Mr. F. C. Selous in a very interesting paper read by him before
the Zoological Society in June, 1881, and no matter how opinions
may differ, it is now commonly accepted that there are but the
two, the Black Rhinoceros (2. dzcornis) and the White Rhinoceros
(R. semus), although, most unfortunately, it is believed that the
latter has become extinct within the last five or six years. The
presumption that there were four varieties was erroneously based on
the development and different shape of the horns in individual
animals. The range of the Black Rhinoceros South of the Zambesi
is limited to the hilly and broken country along that river East of
the Victoria Falls, where it is still found rather plentifully. Two
years ago it was very common throughontt Mashonaland, but is now
almost driven out, only being met with in far-away places remote
from the prospectors. A fair number still remain in the unfre-
quented parts of Matabeleland, particularly in the portion which
Lobengula calls his preserve; and in the low-lying country on the
East Coast about Sofala Bay it is said to be continually come across,
a few, perhaps, being still left North of the Chobe.

Blood-curdling stories have been repeated, ad nauseam, as to the
morose, revengeful, and indescribable ferocity of this Rhinoceros;
sufficient, indeed, to deter the most courageous and enterprising
spirits from even partaking of a distant view of a country inhabited
by such monsters. When truth is separated from fiction, it will
be found that these narratives are merely the result of very strong
imagination on the part of those who recount them. This animal
is possessed of a very limited power of vision but very perfect organs
of smell; and the so-called headlong charges attributed to it may
generally be presumed to be occasioned more by a confused idea of
some danger being at hand, without exactly knowing its direction,
and a desire at all hazards to escape from it, than to the actual
disposition for devastation and annihilation for which it gets
credit. Of course, accidents do and will occasionally occur in
encounters with them, but the dangers attending their chase is

64 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

comparatively little when compared to that of the Elephant, Lion,
or Buffalo; and if one be found charging under severe provocation,
it will seldom make a second onslaught should the first fail. By
these remarks it is not intended to convey any impression that this
Rhinoceros may be attacked with impunity, but it is attempted to
show that it is not the ferocious and bloodthirsty animal most
travellers and nearly all natives represent it to be. However heavy
and ungainly it looks, it can run with most unexpected rapidity, its
trot almost equalling in speed that of the Eland, although a fairly
good horse can come up to it easily; and when stalking on foot, if
the wind be favourable, it can, owing to its deficiency of vision, be
walked right up to without difficulty, and a side shot in the region
of the heart or through both lungs will quickly prove fatal. If only
wounded in one lung, however, the blood spoor may be followed up
perhaps for hours without ultimate success. Owing to the difficulty
of getting at the brain, a head shot is rarely effective. A solid
bullet should invariably be employed.

The Black Rhinoceros is nocturnal in its habits, drinking early in
the evening if not disturbed, wandering over large tracks of country
during the remainder of the night in search of food, and spending
the heat of the day sleeping in the shade of some thick bush, being
more partial, however, to a very rugged and broken country.
Although not, strictly speaking, gregarious, it is rather of a social
disposition, it not being unusual to meet with several in com-
pany. It has a peculiar habit of scattering its warm dung in every

“direction.

The Rhinoceros bird (Buphaga africana) is a very constant com-
panion of that quadruped, which, besides preying on the numerous
parasitic insects infesting its hide, also acts as a sentinel, on the
approach of danger flying into the air and uttering piercing cries.
This, together with the rapid flapping of its wings, attracts the
attention of the Rhinoceros, which at once precipitately retreats
without waiting to ascertain from whence comes the danger.

The White Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros simus). Fig. 33, Plate
IX.—(Vit Rhinaster of the Dutch; Chukuru of the Bechu-
anas; Umhofo of the Matabele.)

ALTHOUGH there is every reason to suppose that the White or
square-mouthed Rhinoceros is now extinct, it is thought advisable

Plate VIII.

Fig. 29 —Tue Gryspuck (Nanolragus melanotts).

Fig. 28.—Tue Inyaza (Tragelaphus angase).

Fig 30.—Tux Pookoo (Kobus vardone)

Fig. 31.—Tue Srrarunea (Tragelaphus speket ).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 65

for completeness to mention the characteristic points that distin-
guish it from the R. dzcorns. Why it was ever called “white” it
is difficult to imagine, as it was almost similar in colour to the
previous variety. It occasionally attained a height of 6% feet, the
head being enormously large in proportion ; the ear conch long,
the ear itself very much pointed and almost devoid of any appear-
ance of hair on the tips; the nostrils elongated and not round, while
the eyes were situated high and far back. From its habits of pro-
ceeding with the nose low down, the anterior horn always presented
a partially flattened front, caused by continual scraping on the sur-
face of the ground; and specimens have been obtained in which
this horn has attained a length considerably exceeding 4 feet. The
posterior horn was rarely so much developed as in the case of
the R. bicornzs, and seldom exceeded 3 or 4 inches in length. The
mouth was square, betraying no appearance of a projection of the
upper lip. The food consisted solely of grasses, and on this account
it preferred to frequent a flat rather than a hilly country. The young
calves of the 2. dzcornis invariably run behind their mothers when pur-
sued, whereas those of the . szmus proceeded in front, the course
of the little ones being directed and guided by the point of their
parent’s horn. The White Rhinoceros was last observed fre-
quenting a small district in North-east Mashonaland, and also in
the neighbourhood of the Sabi River. Although the Zoological
Society have made every effort to procure a living specimen, they
have up to the present been wholly unsuccessful.

The Hippopotamus (ippopotamus amphibius).—(Zee-hue of
the Dutch; Cubu of the Bechuanas; Jm/fubu of the Mata-
bele.)

[Zhe appearance and characteristics of the Hippopotamus are so
well known that it will be sufficient to say the spoor can be easily
distinguished from that of the Rhinoceros by its superior stze and
impress of four in the place of the three toes.|

Tr is many years since the last Hippopotamus was killed in the
rivers of the Cape Colony, and although some herds are said to
exist at the mouth of the Tugela on the East Coast, they are other-
wise extinct South of the Crocodile. Eastward of the junction of

E

66 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

that river with the Tuli, however, they may be found abundantly in
favourable places, as also in most rivers emptying into the Indian
Ocean between it and the Zambesi, which are in character deep or
are possessed of occasional deep pools. Stray herds may be met
with in the extreme Northern courses of the Guai, Shangani,
Umniati, Umfuli, and Hangani Rivers before joining the Zambesi,
but owing to the shallow and uncertain character of these streams
the natives are rapidly killing them out. In the Zambesi and
Chobe they are very numerous, and fairly so in the Botletle and
Lake ’Ngami, while in the vast swamps formed by the Okavango
North of that Lake, they are extremely common and may be con-
tinually found in herds exceeding 20 in number. Only emerging from
their natural strongholds during the night to feed, it is quite probable
that these animals may be found frequenting the rivers of tropical
South Africa long after the Elephant and Rhinoceros have passed
away.

If by any chance a Hippopotamus be discovered out of the water,
its destruction is easily accomplished, as it will quickly die if struck
well on the shoulder; but under ordinary circumstances they are
more difficult to kill than any other pachyderm. As boats are
generally wanting, it is almost impossible to induce the natives to
follow them with their canoes into deep water, they being fully
aware of the disastrous results accompanying the attack of one of
these beasts when infuriated ; and whatever may have been the case
formerly, one nowadays seldom hears of natives in canoes, even
when armed with rifles, venturing upon an encounter with the
Hippopotamus while in its favourite element. Andersson has
repeatedly mentioned how the aborigines have, without the least
hesitation, attacked these amphibious monsters, armed alone
with harpoons and spears; but, disclaiming any intentional reflec-
tion or doubt as to his veracity, it is certain that the natives of
to-day can never be got to initiate an attack upon them in a similar
manner, for when proceeding along a river frequented by the
Hippopotamus, they take good care to closely hug the shores and
shallows, and never for a moment allow their canoes to float into
deep water. Whether this fear arises from any diminution of
courage that formerly characterised them, or by an increased
ferocity on the part of the animals, due to their having been
so ruthlessly fired at and wounded, so much do the Kaffirs dread
an onslaught, that it is not an uncommon sight to witness herds

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 67

passing unmolested up and down the open water in broad day-
light right in front of Moremi’s old town at Lake 'Ngami. The
natives, although armed with breech-loading rifles, rarely attempt
to interfere with them there, probably being deterred by the fear of
coming to close quarters in their moghoros (canoes), or in the
belief that it is merely a waste of ammunition to fire at a quadruped
from any distance with so small a portion of the head exposed.
Except in very secluded places where it is rarely disturbed, it is
quite unusual to observe a Hippopotamus elevate more than a
fractional portion of the forehead, eyes, or nostrils above the water
(unless well concealed in the dense reeds) ; and when thus placed, it
is not only a useless, but an exceedingly cruel practice to fire, unless
the bullet be directed from an elevated position above the water;
for, although the animal may be struck, the chances are a hundred
to one against the bullet being sufficiently deadly in its effect as to
permit of the bodies being recovered. The idea that the brain can
be reached by a shot through the nostrils is absurd; at all events it
never occurs in actual practice. Many thoughtless persons consider
it the height of ‘‘sport” to continually plug the unfortunate beasts
without the least hope of securing one, and rejoice exceedingly as
the bullet strikes some exposed portion of the head, quite oblivious
of the dreadful torture and lingering agony which the wounds
inflict.

The Hippopotamus emerges from the water shortly after sun-
down, and passes the first hours of the night in wandering along
the shore on the feed, lying recumbent during the remaining hours
in the recesses of the bush, and returning to the reed-beds before
dawn. Unless disturbed, it will resort to the same dry bed on land
night after night, always following the same path to and from the
water, and the natives of the ’Ngami, Chobe, and Zambesi, taking
advantage of these circumstances, occasionally manage to kill them
by excavating huge pits in the beaten tracks, covering the mouths
with branches, grasses, and reeds, into which receptacles the unsus-
pecting animal readily falls. Another plan adopted is to suspend a
large barbed assegai, heavily weighted with stones, to a branch
immediately overhanging one of these paths, which, on being
freed by the Hippopotamus coming into contact with a trigger-rope
set directly across the passage, may bury itself deeply in the back, and
if not instantaneously, death generally results from the wound within
a very short period. Some of the native tribes to the East of the

E2

68 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Victoria Falls adopt a still. more cruel method of destruction, and
when a herd is found to frequent some narrow pool, they will
surround it on all sides with a strong fence, and sit quietly by
while the unfortunate quadrupeds slowly perish by starvation.

After inhaling a sufficient quantity of breath, these amphibiz are
capable of remaining under water for fully five or six minutes, or
perhaps slightly longer, and although exceedingly helpless on land they
swim with sufficient rapidity to overtake a rapidly paddled canoe,
which would about equal in pace a quick walk. When the vege-
tation in the neighbourhood of some frequented pool has been
consumed, a herd will migrate to more favourable situations, and
in their wanderings may occasionally be found perhaps a couple of
days’ journey from water. It is needless to state that when thus
overtaken, they may be killed without any danger. Taking it all
round, however, Hippopotamus shooting is but tame sport, and
should only be indulged in when a supply of meat is found to be
absolutely necessary. In the first place, it is impossible to tell at once
whether a shot has taken deadly effect or not, and when killed
outright in the water the body immediately sinks to the bottom;
when the weather is cold, unless excessively fat, it will not
again rise to the surface for perhaps nine or ten hours; when,
however, the weather is warm, and the carcass fat, it will usually
float in about five hours. On the other hand, although the ivory
of the teeth is excellent in quality, and the hide furnishes by far the
best sjamboks, both are comparatively of such little value that it
appears to any reasonable person a disgraceful act to slaughter so
huge, and, generally, so harmless an animal for such paltry booty.
However, as nothing that can be said here will conduce much to
their preservation, those who have an opportunity, and are anxious
to avail themselves of it, had far better choose some night when the
moon is full, and lie in waiting in a frequented path, than run the
chance of wounding several in the water, and, perhaps, obtaining
none.

The meat on the ribs of a cow Hippopotamus when fat, is ex-
tremely good, but rather rich for a dyspeptic stomach. It can be
improved by salting it slightly in strips, and leaving it to hang in
the shade for about a day and night. The flesh of the head, if
cooked in the following manner, will be found simply delicious :—
A hole of sufficient dimensions should be dug in the sand, and in
this a strong wood fire built ; the ashes after the fire has burnt low

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 69

should be removed, the meat being substituted in their place, and
covered again with a thin layer of sand, above which a second fire
should be made and kept well alight for about three hours. When
thoroughly baked, the outer skin can be peeled off readily, and
the flesh, even if served up in the ordinary hunter’s rude fashion,
ought to be sufficient to satisfy the epicurean appetite of Lord
Randolph Churchill himself. The fat can be rendered down, and
makes an excellent substitute for butter in cooking. All natives
are so excessively fond of it that they will often carry bottles con-
taining the fat hundreds of miles from the Interior for the purpose
of presentation to their relatives and friends in the Cape Colony.
Before drying out the hide for sjaméoks, the outer cuticle of the skin
should be cut off, otherwise nothing will prevent it from going bad;
whilst the teeth, if allowed to remain without grease, or exposed to
the atmosphere for any length of time, will splinter and become
useless. The familiar grating sound emitted by an un-oiled mill
wheel in frosty weather resembles the groaning bellow of
“behemoth.”

The Giraffe (Camelopardalis giraffa).—Cameel of the Dutch ;
Tut-cla of the Bechuanas; ’Vgabé of the Masarwas.

[Spoor something Itke that of an ox in shape, only much more
oblong, the average length of a bull's slot being from 9 to IO
znches. |

THE Giraffe still frequents the inner and waterless recesses of the
Kalahari in considerable troops, and is now nowhere so common in
South-central Africa as in that strip of country extending the whole
way along the lower bank of the Botletle, it, however, rarely
venturing within a distance of twenty-five miles of that river.
Proceeding Westward, it is numerous in the camel-thorn forests
South of the Queba range of hills in the "Ngami country, but it is
feared that its days there will shortly be numbered, owing to the
constant persecution to which it is subjected by the Batawana
Bechuanas on the one side, and Lamert’s Namaqua Hottentots on
the other. Troops still roam here and there in the wooded sand
belts of the territory lying between the Botletle and Chobe rivers,
and more particularly where the natives have not as yet become
possessed of breech-loading rifles, or, what is most deadly in their

70 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

pursuit, horses. In Matabeleland it is now uncommon, except in
Lobengula’s own preserves, and only a few troops to-day linger
in Southern Mashonaland.

The Giraffe associates in herds (in South Africa styled “ troops”),
generally numbering from eight to sixteen, and rarely exceeding
twenty, which, as a rule, are composed of one old bull, the remainder
being young males or cows. When the bull becomes so advanced
in age as to be no longer serviceable to the female portion of his
followers, by common consent he is driven from the troop, and some
more youthful aspirant steps into the position as leader of the harem.
These old patriarchs, so exiled, thenceforth lead a solitary life,
completely cut off from all communication with their fellows, and
emit such a peculiarly atrocious odour that it is often a matter of
impossibility to get a horse to gallop right up to them against the
wind. The cows, when heavy with young, drink often, where this
is possible, and when in quest of water will separate from the rest of
the troop, travelling long distances and braving the many dangers
awaiting them in the dense bush which lines most rivers in the
Interior of South Africa. Except on these occasions, it is seldom that
the Giraffe falls a victim to the Lion, and although when shot their
carcases have borne ample evidence, from the claw marks down the
back and flanks, of having at one time successfully escaped from the
clutches of that animal, those so mauled were almost invariably
cows. The bulls always range far away in the thirst tracks alto-
gether unfrequented by beasts of prey, except after heavy rains. A
Giraffe, when jumped on by a Lion, will usually rush under the
branches of some tree and endeavour to scrape off its deadly rider,
in which effort it is often successful.

Just at the moment of going to press with this volume, an
extraordinary narrative, written by a gentleman well known in the
“thirst-lands” of South Africa, appeared in some of the London
papers, and which graphically described an encounter between two
bull Giraffes, of which he was a witness, special reference being
made to the “roars and shrieks” emitted by them in their struggle
for supremacy. In reference to this, it may be said that the ordinary
Giraffe (and we only know of one variety), even in its death agony,
never gives utterance to the slightest groan or sound. It is at all
times an extremely inoffensive animal, and never by any chance
makes use of its teeth or hind legs as weapons of defence, at least
against man, although the hunter should avoid riding directly in

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 71

front of one, as it seldom swerves from its direct course, but will
generally strike out viciously with the forelegs with a result probably
disastrous to either horse or rider. Anyone rash enough to approach
too near to one when mortally wounded, runs the chance of being fallen
upon and crushed, an accident from which one of the authors once
had a narrow escape. In other respects the chase is attended without
any danger from the animals themselves.

They usually frequent the sandy ridges overgrown with low
underwood, camel-thorn, and mopani trees, on the leaves of which
they feed during the morning and evening hours, standing motionless
or reclining during the great heat of the day in the shade of some
clump more in the open. From the extreme length of the neck,
coupled with their acute vision and scent, they are enabled to
detect the approach of an intruder at such long distances as to
render the chance of a successful stalk on foot a most difficult feat ;
and if there is the slightest breath of air, it is utterly useless to fol-
low up a spoor leading down wind, as they would certainly scent their
pursuers and make off long before becoming visible themselves. A
troop well on the move presents one of the grandest and, at the same
time, perhaps one of the most ludicrous sights in the world. Owing
to their indescribable rolling gallop, or, more properly, amble, their
progress seems slow and laboured, but anyone not in possession of a
decent horse will be quickly undeceived in this respect, and, unless
pressed very hard at the outset, it would be a difficult matter to say
when the chase would end (see remarks on Hunting Large Game).
The Giraffe is not by any means in possession of that extraordinary
amount of vitality attributed to it by some hunters, nor is it necessary
to expend a vast amount of ammunition before bringing one down—in
fact, the contrary is the case; and if its dimensions be taken into
consideration, it is perhaps on comparison an easier animal to bring
to book than any of the South African antelopes. A single bullet
from an ordinary Martini-Henry rifle, if properly planted, will
be sufficient to kill outright the largest bull that ever trod the
Kalahari. The proper place to aim at in a stern chase is the centre
of the back, as near as possible over the root of the tail, and if the
shot be at all true, even though it fails to touch the spine, the
bullet, from the peculiar formation of the animal’s body, is almost
certain to pierce the vital parts in front.

The appearance and characteristics of the Giraffe are familiar to
almost every one, and it is sufficient to say that the bulls when very

72 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

old become almost black in hue, the cows being always distinguished
in the herd by their generally bright yellow colour. The flesh of
the latter when fat is much to be preferred to that of any other
description of African game, and in quality equals if not excels the
primest grass-fed beef, possessing in addition a slight game flavour,
those portions on the ribs being the best. The marrow bones are,
par excellence, esteemed the hunter's greatest delicacy, while the
hide furnishes material for the best ox whips, and the Bushmen use
the inner skin of the stomach for water bags. The flesh of the old
bulls is only fit for Bushmen, vultures, and Hyenas.

The Cape Buffalo (Bos caffer). Fig. 10, Plate III.—(Buffel
of the Dutch; Mari of the Bechuanas.)

[Height about 4 feet 10 tnches at the withers. Uniform colour,
grizzly black, through which the reddish skin shows promtnently;
ears tipped with coarse hair, body very thick set; legs short. The
largest pair of horns obtained by Mr. Selous had a spread of 3 feet
8 inches. |

A FEw troops of Buffalo are still preserved by the Cape Government in
the dense forests in the Eastern Provinces. They are said to be still
found in the impenetrable bush country about Delagoa Bay. North
of the Crocodile, and particularly in the tsetse fly infected and low
lying unhealthy countries through which the Sabi, Gorongosi, Bosi,
and Pungwe Rivers flow before emptying into the Indian Ocean,
they are in unfrequented places still quite common, and may be
come upon in large herds, being, however, extremely difficult to get
at owing to the deadly nature of the climate. Now almost driven
out of Mashonaland, a good many herds yet remain in Northern
Matabeleland, along the tributaries of the Zambesi, as also on
both banks of the Chobe, and particularly in the angle formed by
these rivers before their junction. Once very common throughout
the country about Lake ’Ngami, it has now entirely disappeared
from there, and is only occasionally seen in the West along some
of the swamps of the Okavango. In these unfrequented districts,
which are the favoured resorts of the Buffalo, herds exceeding 300
or 400 often congregate, and it is not uncommon to observe a few
very old bulls associating together quite apart from the cows and
calves.

‘Csmius so.ta20umy ) SONTOONIHY ILIH A FHL —ES “Sty

Fig. 32.—Tue Wart Hoc (Phacocharus wthdtopicus).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 73

In South-central Africa, or, indeed, wherever the Buffalo is met
with in abundance, the tsetse fly (Gosstna morsttans) is everywhere
prevalent. This dire pest is not quite, but very nearly, as large as
the common horse fly found in England, being of a leaden grey
colour, banded transversely with four light yellow pinkish bars, and
the wings are similarly situated to the common house fly. The
bite is deadly to all domesticated animals, except such as are actually
bred in the districts frequented by the “fly,” and even these are not
always invulnerable to the poison injected from the proboscis of the
insect. When horses or oxen are “stuck,” they do not show any
signs of the fact until they have experienced a thorough wetting,
but immediately after this, the coats of the doomed beasts stand on
end, the nostrils start running, and emaciation sets in rapidly, death
finally supervening from debility. Neither the exact nature of the
virus, or any cure or preventive, has up to the moment of writing
been discovered. From the foregoing remarks it must not be
understood that fatalities will occur from the bites of one or perhaps
half-a-dozen flies, but where bitten to any extent the result is always
disastrous, and, although not so to mankind, its effect upon bipeds
is extremely painful, scarcely less so in fact than the sting of a bee.
The tsetse is possessed of remarkable agility, and is difficult to
catch with the hand, but they may be readily captured by pinning
the legs with the blade of a knife, and this should be done, if
possible, where they have alighted on animals in districts where
they are presumed not to exist in any great numbers. Some
authorities are willing to account for this pest being always found
in attendance on the Buffalo by the fact that the insect hatches
its eggs in the skin or the dung of that animal.

The reputation for ferocity enjoyed by the Cape Buffalo has been
much exaggerated, for on being disturbed it generally prefers to run
away rather than initiate an attack. The reverse will, however,
often be found to be the case with some whose tempers have not
been rendered equable by the recollection of the unpleasant effect
produced by some bullet or assegai wound inflicted in past days,
and an unprovoked charge from one of these may not be wondered
at. As exemplified by the numerous fatalities which have occurred
attendant upon their projected destruction (with perhaps the
exception of a “cornered” Lion), there is no animal in Africa so
dangerous to tackle when wounded, and especially when followed
up in thick bush. They will there very often lie in waiting

74 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

concealed from view, and without any other warning than that
of a fierce grunt, dash upon their pursuers, whose attention at
the moment may be occupied in tracing the blood spoor. It is not
alone a waste of ammunition, but also a very hazardous experiment,
to fire at a Buffalo standing or charging directly head on, as,
owing to the formation of the horns, the chance of a bullet reaching
the brain or inflicting an injury calculated to stop its rush is
almost hopeless; nor is any opportunity afforded in such a posi-
tion of penetrating the vitals with a shot fired into the trunk
from over the head, as it charges with the nose thrust out straight
on a line with the back, and only lowers the horns at the moment
of striking. Where possible, a shoulder shot should always be tried,
a‘577 express being preferably recommended to a rifle of smaller
calibre. The cavity of the bullet should be narrow and shallow, so
as not to allow of too much expansion. For a heavy and shoit-
legged animal, it can run with great rapidity, as anyone mounted on
a slow horse would find out to his cost if pursued by one.

The Zebra (Equus zebra). Fig. 36, Plate X.—( Wilde Paard
of the Dutch.)

[ The true Zebra rarely exceeds 12% hands at the withers, and in
compartson to Burchell’s Zebra the ears are long; head, hoofs, and
tail more asinine in shape; transverse stripes narrower and more
frequent, commencing close over root of tail, but disappearing on
the upper sides of belly, which ts white; all four legs ringed com-
pletely down as far as the hoofs; mane scanty and wregular,
commencing at the back of ears and disappearing before reaching
shoulder.]

A yew herds of the true Zebra still remain in some of the Eastern
districts of the Cape Colony, and especially on the Zwartberg,
Sneeuwberg, and Winterhoek ranges, upon the summits of which
only are they found, but.as they are now very strictly preserved and
do not, therefore, form a portion of the wild game of South Africa,
an extended reference to the species is unnecessary.

Burchell’s Zebra (Equus burchell.). Fig. 34, Plate X.—
(Quagga of the Dutch; Peetsee or Peetsee tolatsan of the

Bechuanas.)

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 75

[This species of Zebra oftens attains a height of 13% hands at
the withers. The shape of the head resembles, and the hoofs are
almost similar to the horse. General colour above varies very much,
in some being nearly pure white, tn others approaching to chocolate;
the alternate black transverse stripes join underneath the belly,
and becoming less distinct down the outer sides of the legs, finally
disappear in white before reaching the fetlocks; inside of legs
usually white, but in some cases fairly banded, the mane, commencing
well out on the forehead, ends low on the shoulder, and ts long,
thick, regular, fully erect, and banded alternately with black and
white. The spoor ts dificult to drstinguish from that of a Basuto

pony. |

BuRCHELL's ZEBRA (commonly, but erroneously, called the “ Quagga”’
by almost every trader and hunter in the Interior) never at any
time ranged so far South as the Orange River. At the present day
it is practically exterminated in the Transvaal, although it is pro-
bable that a few herds still remain in the low country South of the
mouth of the Crocodile River. Frequenting only open level plains,
or those that are sparsely covered with bush, this Zebra is now
rarely seen in a direction South of the Botletle River, although after
heavy rains it is not uncommon to find a few straying farther into
the Kalahari. On the Botletle it is still quite plentiful, as also along
the Mababe Flats and the level country along the Chobe and Zam-
besi, otherwise in favourable localities, and where not driven out by
natives, Boers, and sometimes European hunters and prospectors, it
may still be found in numbers.

Fault can scarcely be found for shooting the “ Quagga,” either for
the purpose of securing a specimen, or where it becomes a matter of
actual necessity to provide fresh meat for consumption on the road,
but otherwise the wanton and criminal destruction of this beautiful
animal by some so-called “sportsmen,” is as much to be deplored as
it should be strongly condemned. When a person is heard to boast
of his prowess in having shot five or six, and wounded perhaps
double as many more, out of the same troop, we know that true
sport is over, and that disgusting slaughter has commenced. Unfor-
tunately these remarks are applicable to all other game, but more
especially so to this species of Zebra, as they approach the water
nightly for drinking purposes, and their fresh spoor being therefore
the more readily discovered, they may be hunted up with but little

76 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

cuculty, and with a fast horse numbers can easily be destroyed.
In referring to the wholesale destruction of game, it is pleasing to
remark that it is seldom one hears of Englishmen disgracing them-
selves as ruthless butchers, this being the prerogative of the ever-
killing and insatiable Boer or native, whose small thoughts and ideas
are confined to the present, and never to the future.

Burchell’s Zebras may sometimes be found in herds of from
50 to 100, but more often numbering from Io to 15, and they are
commonly found associating with Ostriches, Blue Wildbeests, and
Hartebeests. On being hunted, and if not urged too much at the
start, they generally keep in single file, the stallions being in front,
but when hard pressed they run more in a lump, and at such times
it requires a really good horse to overtake them. In a stern chase
shot, an expanding bullet has little effect, as it will not penetrate
beyond the thick fleshy portion of the rump. When one is wounded,
it will invariably separate from the remainder of the troop, and
it is always more merciful and sportsmanlike to follow it up until
despatched than to pursue the others. The neigh of this species
resembles in sound the subdued whining bark of a dog. The flesh
to white men is coarse and flabby, with a disagreeable sweet taste,
but as it usually possesses a large amount of yellow fat, it is pre-
ferred by the natives next to that of the Hippopotamus. It is the
common prey of Lions, which generally frequent its drinking
places.

The Eguus burchell’ varies so much in its general colour, that
there are not sufficient grounds for believing 4. chapmant to be
a distinct variety, as has been claimed for it.

The Quagga (Hippotigris quagga).

[Height about that of the common Zebra. Upper parts of light
reddish brown; head, neck, and upper portion of shoulders lined with
dark stripes, whach become fatnter on back and disappear on the loins ;
chest, belly, and tail (except at the root ‘) ave white.|

Tur OuaGGA at one time frequented the upper portion of the
Cape Colony in considerable numbers, but it is now thought to be
extinct, although it may be observed that Mr. W. L. Distant, the
naturalist, has stated that he recently saw two live specimens exposed
for sale on the Pretoria Market, but it is not improbable that he

confused them with Aguus burchelli.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 77

The Wart Hog (Phacocherus ethiopicus). Fig. 32, Plate IX,
—(Vlaakte Vaark of the Dutch; Colubee of the Bechuanas.)

[Height seldom exceeds 27 tnches, being more frequently under
than over that standard. General colour of the skin varies from
black to earth brown, the bristles on neck and top of head blackish
brown, long, erect, and growing, as it were, from a common centre,
those on body sparsely distributed, greyish, and short, a patch of
white closely-set bristles on etther cheek; tail long, narrow, tufted at
extremity, and carried erect when in progression, snout broad and
oval-shaped, ending abruptly a little in front of tusks. The tusks of
both jaws developed, but those of the upper to an enormous extent,
some occasionally exceeding I2 inches along the curve. There are
four warty excrescences on the face, those on cheeks under eyes
large and prominent, those placed on the nose behind the tusks
being smaller.]

Tuus is the common Wild Boar of the Interior of South Africa. It
is probable that some still remain in the forest regions of the
Eastern districts of the Cape Colony and Natal; in Northern Zulu-
land and the Delagoa Bay country they are reported to be fairly
common in places, whilst a few are certainly to be found in the
thick bush skirting the Molopo, West of Pitsani, as they were
observed there last year; but otherwise in Bechuanaland, the
Protectorate, or the Transvaal, they are anything but plentiful.
Between the Crocodile and Zambesi Rivers, in unfrequented places,
they may be generally met more or less numerously, and in the low
country about Sofala they are very common, but keeping very close
to the dense thorn-bush during the day, they do not, as a rule,
form a large proportion of a hunter’s bag. It is quite unusual to
find them straying far from water except after heavy rains. If the
ferocity of the Wart Hog were at all proportionate to the extent of
its tusks, it would indeed prove a most formidable antagonist, but a
really good powerful dog ought at any time to be capable of holding
one fast, although he might not be able, single handed, to kill him.
Indeed, as a contribution to the traveller’s sport, very little may be
depended upon from the pigs, except when they are ferreted out by
the wagon dogs in the bush. Opinions are divided as to the merits
of the pork as an article of food; some may consider it rather a
luxury, but the majority of those who have partaken of it agree that
it should be avoided unless where absolutely necessary.

78 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Bush Pig ov Southern River Hog (Sus larvatus).

[Height about the same as the Wart Hog, the body, however,
being longer. General colour, reddish brown, profusely mixed with
grey ; snout long, projecting considerably in advance of under jaw;
ears excessively long, and running gradually to a point, the ex-
tremtty of the tips being tufted with bristles and generally resembling
in appearance those of the Red Lynx (Felis caracal); @ very
remarkable extended bony excrescence on bridge of nose, bristles close
and very long, particularly so down the centre of back and overhanging
rump; tail tufted at the extremity, on progression being held
downwards. Tusks resemble the common wild Boar (Sus scrofa).]

In Matabeleland and Mashonaland this species may be met with,
but it is extremely scarce, although perhaps more common in the
low-lying bush country to the East. In Bechuanaland, Damaraland,
or the ’Ngami country, the natives do not even appear to be aware
of its existence. In the forest districts of Natal and the Eastern
Provinces of the Cape Colony its presence is often reported, and in
Zululand it appears to be rather plentiful. It is never found any
great distance from water, and always frequents the densest bush.

The Cape Hare (Lepus capensis)—Vlaakte Haas of the
Dutch. The Bechuana and -Matabele term for all the

Hares is Mootcla.

[Body considerably smaller than the common English Hare, the
legs being very short tn comparison. General colour, brownish grey
with reddish tinge, underneath, reddish fawn; ears very long,
almost devoid of fur, and always held erect when pursued. |

Tris animal frequents open flats, and is generally met with
in the Karoo bush of the Cape Colony, and, indeed, throughout
temperate South Africa.* The Hares of South Africa deserve little
consideration from a sporting point of view, as they are incapable of
running with any great speed, and when pursued will take to ground
on the first opportunity in some meercat or spring hare burrow.
The species now under notice is a particularly unclean feeder, and

* [here is another Hare found in the Interior smaller in size, and of a pale yellowish

brown colour, and which may eventually prove to be a distinct variety.
5

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 79

can generally be come across in the neighbourhood of some native
kraal, its principal diet consisting of human excrement. For this
reason, as may be imagined, the flesh is not much in requisition.
It is worthy of remark that the bodies of all the varieties of Hares,
particularly in the cavity of the ears, are invariably found to be
infested with ticks.

The Rock Hare (Lepus saxatalis)—Klip Haas of the Dutch.

(Somewhat larger tn body, with longer legs, than the last described.
General colour, mottled brown; underneath, dirty white; ears very

long. |

Tuts variety is generally found frequenting low ridges of stony
kopjves along the river banks, but it does not appear to be met with
in the far Interior.

The Mountain or Thick-tailed Hare (Lepus crassicaudatus).—
Root Haas of the Dutch.

[Stze about that of a full grown rabbit. General colour, bright
foxy red, paleing underneath ; legs very short; tatl disproportionately
large and thick. ]

Tus Hare only frequents the high &opyzes of the Cape Colony,
Natal, Orange Free State, and the Southern portion of the Trans-
vaal, being unknown further North.

BEASTS OF PREY.

The Lion (Felis leo)—Lieuw of the Dutch; Tauw of the
Bechuanas; Jsi/owan of the Matabele; Shumba of the East-
coast natives; ’Gham of the Masarwas.

Lions everywhere differ so much in size and colour that old hunters,
both English and Dutch, positively assert that there are at least
three or four distinct species, but as a matter of fact, there is really
but the one in Africa. In some instances full-grown males have
been found in South Africa of a fawn colour so light as to be
little removed from dirty white, and with scarcely any appearance
of mane; while others in the same district, although not so advanced
in age, may be ornamented with full flowing manes and dark brown
coats, and vce versa. It is also worth mentioning that cubs from
the same mother will very often vary in hue, and that, contrary to
the usual belief, Lions in captivity bear a much more imposing
appearance than when found at large in their native haunts. They
are usually met with in pairs, but also frequently in troops up to
ten in number, composed of two, three, or, perhaps, four genera-
tions. A few still remain in the extreme Northern confines of the
Zoutpansberg district of the Transvaal and about Delagoa Bay.
In British Bechuanaland their presence is now and then reported
from the extreme Westwardly course of the Molopo River, before its
waters become absorbed in the sands of the Southern Kalahari. But
Northward, without mentioning any particular locality, throughout
South-central Africa, wherever large game is plentiful, they are more
or less numerous, particularly so in the low-lying countries along the
East Coast, and the presence of Burchell’s Zebras in quantities is
a sure indication that Lions are to be found in thé vicinity. It is
only in places little frequented that one is lucky enough to come
across these animals during the day; but from recent accounts Provi-
dence appears to have made special dispensations in favour of a
few “sporting ” neophytes who have visited Mashonaland.

tog. 36.—Tne Zeura (Lous Zebra),

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 81

The character for bravery, nobility, and magnanimity generally
attributed to Lions exists only in the imagination of those who have
so described them, nor are they for a moment such clean feeders
as they are usually represented to be, it having been commonly
observed that they will return night after night and gorge on the
putrid carcass of an animal which probably owed its destruction to
some other beast of prey. When desperate through hunger, and
especially in the case of those that have become decrepit and unable
to kill game on their own account, they will unprovoked not infre-
quently attack man himself, but rarely otherwise. Man-eaters are
naturally always to be dreaded, but their existence is usually of short
duration, as the natives in a district frequented by one showing a
disposition for human flesh, gather in numbers and quickly exter-
minate the animal. Very little danger may be expected from those
that roar freely during the night, as a full voice is invariably a sure
sign of a full stomach; but when one is heard to utter low snarling
whines at intervals, it may be assumed that there is a vacuum some-
where, and that mischief is intended, wherefore extra precaution
should be observed, or, as the Dutch hunters say, “boss up.”

It is a curious fact that, instead of objecting to, the Masarwas
(Bushmen) rather favour, the presence of these animals, not, it may
be premised, out of any particular motives of personal regard, but
because they are well aware that where Lions are numerous, it
follows that they run the chance of obtaining constant supplies of
meat without undergoing any extra personal exertions on their own
part. This may more readily be understood when it is recognised
that, except on rare occasions, Lions hunt only during the night,
and having satisfied their hunger on killing a head of game, invari-
ably forsake the carcass before dawn, retiring into some patch of
dense bush, where they pass the day in sleep. On such occasions
the sun is not very high in the heavens before the vultures are
attracted from all quarters to the body of the slain animal, and the
Masarwas, following the flights of these unerring guides, usually
arrive in time to partake of the remnants of the ready provided
feast.

In comparison to its size (a full-grown Lion weighing about
500 lbs.) the strength of this animal is certainly enormous, but
such accounts of its capabilities for “clearing high sserms (arti-
ficial thorn fences), encumbered with the weight of a three-year old
heifer,” and similar statements of the kind, must not be accepted ;

F

82 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

nor, on the other hand, must the powers of any animal that is strong
enough with one wrench to break the spine of the largest draught
ox be depreciated. Lions have different methods of seizing and
killing their prey, but that usually adopted in the case of the
ox or Eland, when springing on to the back of one of these animals,
is to insert the claws deep into the flesh of the victim, those of the
left hind foot low down on the near flank, almost at the stomach, of
the right hind paw high on the rump, the right fore paw in the
centre of the off shoulder, and with the purchase so obtained, to
bite into the nape of the neck, simultaneously wrenching the head
round by grasping the nose with the claws of the left fore paw.
As one of the numerous evidences in support of this assertion as to
how they kill their quarry, it may be mentioned that three years
ago four oxen out of a span were killed by Lions on the Botletle
River in one night, every one of which on careful examination had
their necks broken exactly in the manner described. Mr. Erickssen,
the well-known naturalist and hunter, was a witness on one occasion
when the ox turned the tables on the Lion. The incident took
place in the ’Ngami country, where a full grown Lioness sprang on
to the back of one of a considerable herd of cattle, and the
remainder, instead of dashing off mad with terror, rushed on to the
aggressor and gored her to death. On proceeding to devour an
ox, the Lion usually commences his operations by making an open-
ing in the region of the scrotal organs, from which the liver and
some of the other entrails are extracted and devoured before any
other portion of the body is touched.

Although Dr. Livingstone has denied that there is anything very
much out of the ordinary in the voice of the Lion, comparing it to
that of a cock Ostrich (which no doubt it resembles on a small scale),
most persons, however, who have had opportunities of judging, will
scarcely agree with his statement, and will unite in saying that there is
no sound in the world so truly awe-inspiring and terrific as the roars
of a troop of these animals as they prowl around a hunter’s camp in
the dead of night.

When accompanied by three or four fairly courageous dogs, how-
ever, an encounter is seldom attended with any great prospect of
danger, especially when one can be brought to bay away from the
vicinity of thick bush; but to persons not possessed of a strong
nerve and excellent shooting powers, this sort of sport is not recom-
mended. For hunting purposes of this description, a cross between

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 83

the greyhound and bull-terrier is preferable, as, on the one hand,
they usually possess enough courage to keep a Lion’s attention
engaged, thus affording an opportunity of approaching close up and
putting a bullet into a vital part; on the other hand having
sufficient activity to avoid the animal’s teeth and claws under
circumstances where a more highly bred and courageous dog would
of a certainty undergo utter extinction. Whilst upon this subject,
it is as well to mention that no matter what the attributes of any
dog may be, he should not be trusted until tried, as even the most
vaunted champions among their own breed will, with bristles erect
but tail down, retire at the very first whiff of a Lion. In following
up a spoor, the dogs should be held up and only let loose when the
game is almost at hand; and when the sun is very hot each animal
should be given a little water from the calabashes or canvas bags
usually carried on such occasions, before engaging in the encounter.

When hunting on horseback, and possessed of a speedy and well-
trained nag, the danger is minimised, for, although a Lion when
close at hand might possibly overtake a horse in the first rush, it
never continues the chase when this fails. Expanding bullets should
always be used when at very close quarters, as solid ones, if missing
the vitals, will drive clean through the body without giving the
system any shock. As regards the question of vitality, it is no
exaggeration to state that under similar circumstances the same
bullet, which would appear to take but little immediate effect on an
ordinary antelope, might probably disable a Lion and prevent him
either escaping or charging. It is as well to observe that following
up one of these wounded animals in thick bush without the assist-
ance of dogs, can only be attended with extreme peril. When all
other plans have failed, the following but not very sportsmanlike
device can be resorted to with effect for their destruction. At a
sufficient distance from camp, a lung-sick or worn-out ox may be
tied to a tree as a bait, and a strong and high thorn skerm built
close around the animal, one entrance to which, about 2 feet wide,
should be left open, across which the muzzles of a couple of set
guns may be directed. The captive, when alone and deprived of
the society of its kindred, will usually set up a lowing sufficient to
attract the attention of any prowling Lions, and in this way many
are bagged, although the incidents attending their destruction, on
narration, usually assume a more pretentious exhibition of personal
bravery.

84 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

If they are at all inclined to give trouble, they will invariably
choose a dark or rainy night for their operations, and when travelling
in infested districts by ox wagon, it is advisable to have the cattle
tied securely to the trek-tow before sundown, which should be
fastened in front to the ground with strong iron pins, thus pre-
venting the oxen from pulling sideways. The horses should also be
double rezmed to the side of the wagon, more especially if there
are any white ones among the lot (as Lions will generally pick out a
white horse in preference to others), and a sufficient supply of dry
wood brought close to hand with which keep the fires well up during
the night, taking care to build the largest in front of the leading pair
of oxen. Cattle or horses are not much disturbed at the appearance
of the Lion itself, but the smell of one terrifies them, and without any
roaring or growling its presence is immediately detected, when the
cattle commence to breathe in a loud and hurried manner, followed,
if recumbent, by starting quickly to their feet with every appearance
of terror, the horses meanwhile snorting and tugging at their
reims.

One word more. Never, on any account, trust the skinning of a
Lion to native attendants, as the first thing they will do is to cut off
the claws and render the specimen almost worthless.

The Leopard (Felis pardus).—Teegre of the Dutch; ’"Vkwai
of the Bechuanas.

Ir is only now and again that the depredations caused by this
animal and its ultimate destruction are reported at the present time
in several districts of Natal and the Cape Colony. When the flesh
of their ordinary prey, which chiefly consists of chacma baboons
(Cynocephalus porcarius), varied with an occasional Rhébuck or
Klipspringer, is unobtainable, they are compelled to devote their
attention to the sheep and goat kraals of the farmers. As might be
supposed, after a visit of such a nature (if the number of men and
dogs engaged in the chase be taken into consideration), the Leopard
has rather a lively time of it, and is generally either killed or com-
pelled to migrate to pastures new. A few still exist in some of the
mountains of the Transvaal and hills of the Bechuanaland Pro-
tectorate, but Northward, where other game is abundant, they are
more often to be met with. They are never anywhere very
numerous, and even where fairly so, are rarely seen, as they

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 85

only venture abroad during the night. In contradistinction to
their congeners the Cheetahs, they frequent a hilly and broken
country, but this is not always so, as there are a good many
along the banks of the Chobe and Botletle, near which rivers
there are no hills whatever. Although fatalities in connection
with the Leopard do not often occur in South Africa, a good many
white hunters, and all natives as a rule, consider them more
dangerous to tackle than the Lion, as, when wounded, they will
fight to the last, and when hungry are extremely audacious. Unlike
that animal, their attack is always conducted with the utmost stealth,
and without any preliminary growling; and any dog daring enough
to venture beyond the wagon fires when any of them are about, is
almost certain to come to a bad end. Except when hunting in
couples, it is unusual for them to attack the very large antelopes,
but they are extremely destructive to the smaller varieties and the
young of all, including the Giraffe, and when pressed by extreme
hunger, man himself is not free from assault. It invariably seizes its
prey by the throat, and when hunted with dogs, takes refuge in
trees, from which position it may be shot without much difficulty or
danger, providing the hunter keeps at a distance sufficient to be out
of range of the animal's spring. Expanding bullets should always
be used in such encounters, but when at very close quarters, nothing
proves more efficacious than a charge of buckshot fired from a shot
gun. The flesh of the Leopard and Cheetah, equally with that of
all the Jackal tribe, is highly esteemed by the natives, and a gentle-
man of our acquaintance—not recognising the difference between
the Bechuana terms ’VAwad (Leopard) and’Vu (sheep)—was induced
to try it, and declares it not to be at all bad, somewhat resembling
veal in flavour.

‘Two varieties of the above species have been described by Dr. A.
Ginther, F.R.S., in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society dated
respectively May, 1885, and April, 1886.

felts leopardus, var. melanot. — “Killed near Grahamstown.
Ground colour tawny, with a rich orange gloss about the shoulders.
Of the rosettes only a few indications are preserved, viz., on the
haunches, where two are visible on the right side, while they form
an irregular confluent pattern on the left. The remains of rosettes
are also visible on each shoulder.”

felis leopardus, var. melanotica. — “Killed in the district of
Albany. There are no rosettes at all on the larger portion of

86 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

the skin, the spots not even’ showing through the black.” From
the photograph exhibited of the skin of this specimen, it would
appear that, except the underneath, the entire surface must have
been almost black. Although it is very difficult to get two
skins altogether matching in colour, we have never observed (at
least in the Interior of South Africa) any so strongly marked
differences as the two above described. :

The Cheetah (Cynwlurus jubatus)—Teegre of the Dutch ;
’Nkwai of the Bechuanas.

[Appearance strongly distinguished from the common Leopard.
Body very much elongated; legs long, betraying little appearance of
strength; skull very high in proportion to length of head ; fur woolly
in appearance, particularly underneath. General colour, bright
rufous fawn, almost pure white beneath neck and belly, and except in
the latter parts, the surface 1s marked with numerous uncform black
spots, round on the back, and becoming more irregular tn shape and
less conspicuous further down, mane fairly developed ; tail curled,
long, and bushy at the extremity; pupils of eyes circular and not
oblong , a dtstingurshing black mark between the eye and corner of
mouth, |

Tuils species is probably extinct in Natal, and nearly so in the Cape
Colony, its presence being occasionally reported from one or two
districts in the extreme North-west. A few still remain in the
North and North-east of the Transvaal in unoccupied places. In
the waterless portions of the Kalahari—where it is supposed to quench
its thirst with the blood of its victims—and in the lower independent
native territories of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, it is a little
more common. It may be met with in flat bush-covered districts
throughout South-central Africa, but it cannot be said to be any-
where very plentiful; indeed, it is somewhat an unusual occurrence
to come across one at all. Although a good many skins are yearly
brought from the interior by traders, they are mostly from animals
that have been trapped by natives. The prey of the Cheetah chiefly
consists of the smaller antelopes and the young of the larger Hares,
spring hares (Helamys capensis) and Guinea Fowl. ‘The only
damage sustained by human beings from its depredations is the
occasional lifting of a stray sheep, goat, or calf; and it is only on
rare occasions that one attempts to enter a cattle kraal. In fact, as

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 87

much danger might probably be expected from an encounter with a
Red Lynx (fe/7s caracal) as with a Cheetah. It is well known that
this animal is easily trained for hunting purposes in India, but the
experiment has never yet been tried in South Africa. Its character
is anything but savage or vicious, and even the most timorous natives
will, when an opportunity presents itself of coming into close contact

with one, without the assistance of any other weapon rush in and
kill it with knobkerries. It may be observed that, although the

claws are always exposed, and not altogether retractile, their impress
is well marked in the sand, the spoor being nearly round, and shaped
very like that of a rather large-sized dog.

The Woolly Cheetah (Fedrs lanea).

[Zhe fur much more woolly and dense than the Cheetah, as par-
ticularly noticeable in the ears, mane,and tail. The whole of the
body ts of a pale, tsabelline colour, rather paler on belly and lower
parts, but covered all over—including the belly—with roundish dark
fulvous blotches. There are no traces of the black spots which are
so conspicuous i all the varieties of the Cheetah, nor of the charac-
tertstc black line between the mouth and eyes. |

Tuis variety was first alluded to by Dr. Sclater, Secretary of the
Zoological Society of London, being described by him in the
Proceedings of that Society in 1877, to whom we are indebted for
the above description. The specimen referred to was brought from
near Beaufort West, in the Cape Colony, and placed in the Zoo-
logical Gardens. Upon reference to the description there can be
little doubt that the animal is distinct from the common Cheetah.
The species has not, within our knowledge, been observed further
Northwards.

The Serval (Felis serval).—Bosch or Teegre Kat of the Dutch;
Tali of the Bechuanas.

[Height 19 or 20 tnches. General colour, reddish orange,
approaching brown down the centre of back, which ts arched, pale-
ing to white underneath; body covered with black to dark brown
spots, some of which are round and others trregularly shaped ; in
the centre of the back these spots run together in longitudinal stripes ;
two strongly marked transverse bands of black across the tnstde of

88 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

the upper part of each of the fore legs; head and body rather slender;
tail short; legs and ears long, the latter being somewhat rounded
and devoid of the long hairs on the tip pecultar to the Lynx. |

Art the present time it is only on extremely rare occasions that this
very pretty and graceful animal is found any considerable distance
South of the Tropic of Capricorn; Northward throughout South-
central Africa it is fairly common, frequenting the thick bush in the
vicinity of the rivers. The karosses made from its skin are only
worn by the chiefs and the very high dignitaries amongst the
native tribes, and are, in consequence, eagerly sought after, on
which account the species runs a chance of rapid extermination. Its
usual prey consists of the young of the smaller antelopes, Franco-
lins, and Guinea Fowl, to the latter of which it is a most destructive
enemy in the breeding season. When obtained young, the Serval
can be tamed with little trouble, and makes an exceedingly beautiful
and docile pet, but it is at first difficult to rear, and even in a state
of domestication always bears a singular and most unaccountable
aversion to black men, its otherwise even temper being at once
aroused at the appearance of a native. When in anger, it is by no
means a despicable antagonist, and very few dogs will engage in
combat with it single handed. Entirely nocturnal in habits, it may
be passed over from a sporting point of view.

The Caracal or Red Lynx (Felis caracal)—Rooi Kat of the
Dutch.

[Hemght 15 or 16 inches. The colour varies tn different spectmens
from light red to purplish brown, being free from spots or markings,
but darker along the centre of back; throat and under parts white ;
body long, thick-set, and powerful; legs and tail short; ears very
long, gradually tapering to a point, back and tips being black, the
latter having long pencilled hatrs of the same colour. |

Tue range of the Caracal is far more extended than the Serval, but
if still met with South of the Orange River it must be only on very
rare occasions. It is said to be tamed by some of the native princes
in India for hunting small game in a similar manner to the Cheetah.
Climatic influence may have something to do with the disposition
of the animal, as in South Africa, when its size is taken into
consideration, it is justly reputed to be, without exception, the

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 89

most savage and intractable of the Fe/zde. Even when obtained
quite young and brought up by hand, it gradually develops a
character, so to speak, of pure ‘“cussedness,” that any attempts to
tame it have invariably proved unsuccessful. The Boers hold to
the belief—which is often treated with ridicule—that the skin
of this Lynx, when made into and used as darosses, is a sovereign
remedy against an attack of rheumatism. Whether they really
possess any curative virtues it is not within our province to deter-
mine, but their general use is greatly favoured in South Africa; it
is certainly a fact that the fur of the dead animal is highly electrical.
Thick bush and the vicinity of rivers are not so much associated
with the Caracal as the Serval, frequenting as it does more open
country at considerable distances from water. In its movements
it is wonderfully rapid when climbing trees, and its strength and
activity are so great as to be more than a match for the best dog.
Several instances have occurred where individual females, anxious
for the safety of their young, have boldly attacked natives, only
being killed or driven off with much difficulty.

The South African Wild Cat (Felis caffra).— Wilde Kat of
the Dutch.

[Seze about the same as a very large domestic cat. General
colour, dark grey, some specimens having an orange tint throughout;
centre of back rather indistinctly striped with black, more definitely
so on the thighs; legs same colour as body, ringed with black; body
thick set; tail rather long fora wild cat, tipped for a couple of inches
with black, a few trregular rings being further up.|

Tuis is the common Wild Cat of South Africa, and although rarely
distributed in sparsely populated districts of the Cape Colony and
Natal, it may be plentifully met with throughout the Interior. Its
habits very little differ from those of the ordinary wild cat of
Europe.

The Reed Cat (felis chaus).—Reit Kat of the Dutch.

[Stands somewhat higher than the last described. General
colour, pale grey, inclined to yellow, under parts lighter; fur short
and thick; in some specimens there ts no appearance of lines or
marks whatever, while others show slight indications of brown

90 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

@

markings; broad brown bars on the tnside of legs; tal long and
slender, tipped with black, same colour as body, with some dark-
coloured rings. |

Tuis species, which is rarely found South of the Orange River, but
is common within the tropics, seems to be often confounded with
the Booted Lynx (Fels caligata), which does not appear to be
known South of the Zambesi. The animal now under notice will
always be found frequenting low marshy ground in which there is
plenty of cover in the shape of reeds, or in the thick bush bordering
the rivers and lakes, its food consisting not alone of such water-fowl
as can be snatched by it when they are resting on the margin of the
water, but also of fish; and its spoor may be constantly observed
imprinted on the soft mud surrounding such pools in the periodical
watercourses which are rapidly becoming desiccated, and in which
many species of the finny tribe may probably be imprisoned without
a possibility of escape.

The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta maculata).—Teegre Voolf of the
Dutch; Peeree of the Bechuanas.

[General colour, dirty yellowtsh brown, indistinctly spotted all
over with the same colour, but of a darker hue, and inclined to run
mn lines; hair short; scarcely any appearance of mane; head large
in proportion to size of body, and betraying extraordinary strength in
the jaw. The hind considerably shorter than the fore legs; ears
rounded and not potnted as in the Brown Hyena. Itis rare to obtain a
specimen unaffected with mange, and in some cases the skin of the
lower portion of the legs 1s found eaten away by the disease. |

Tus is the common Hyena of the Interior of South Africa. It is
doubtful whether it still exists in the Cape Colony, Natal, or the
Orange Free State, and is very scarce in the Transvaal and on the
Western borders of Bechuanaland. In the Kanya and Bakwaina
countries of the Protectorate the natives still suffer from its depre-
dations in their sheep and goat kraals, but between the Crocodile
and Zambesi Rivers, where other beasts of prey are to be met with,
it is sure to be about, and it is seldom that a Lion proceeds on
its nightly rounds unattended at a respectful distance by at least
two or three Hyenas. Only prowling after dark, and at all
times an arrant sneaking coward, little danger may be apprehended

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. gI

from an attack on domestic animals when close up to a wagon; but
as its strong perfume is likely to cause a stampede during the night,
its presence is always a source of great annoyance to travellers.
Hyenas, as a rule, will not venture to assault a full-grown healthy
ox; but they will make short work of such as are sick or weary, or
which may have strayed away any distance in the darkness from an
encampment. All smaller animals should be securely kraaled
or fastened close up to the fires, donkeys especially so, as they are
sure to engage special attention; and in this connection it may be
remarked that there is no more distressing and heartrending sound
in the world than that uttered by a donkey when struggling in the
deadly grip of these brutes, who generally seize it underneath the
anus the more easily to disembowel it. It may therefore be readily
imagined that they deserve little and receive no consideration,
traps, spring guns, and poison being used indiscriminately in their
destruction. Any sort of high-smelling offal will do as a bait for the
trap, which should be set inside a strong, thick, but narrow thorn
fence, one ‘small opening being left, which, if entirely free, the
chances are ten to one that a Hyena will sneak the bait without
being pinned. It is, therefore, necessary to close up the one
entrance with bushes to a height, say, of 2 feet, which obstacle an
animal must jump to arrive at the bait, and if the trap be properly
set on the ground, it is almost certain that the marauder will land
right on the top of it and its capture secured. As an attraction, it
will be found useful to trail some meat (the more it stinks the
better) for a considerable distance from the lure. Suitable “gre
gins may be obtained at any of the large ironmongery establishments
in the Colony.

Two or three good dogs will be sufficient to keep Hyenas at a
respectful distance when darkness sets in. Their howl is most
dismal, commencing in a prolonged moan and ending in a weird
shriek, and it is only when in the enjoyment of a hearty meal that
they “laugh.” The Hyenas of South Africa do not appear to be so
much addicted to human flesh as they are said to be in other
portions of the world, and it is not uncommon to find an unburied
corpse remain untouched by them night after night, even in places
where they are numerous. This may be accounted for owing to
their dread of the smell of man, but among such tribes as the
Matabele (who are accustomed to cast the dead bodies of those who
have been executed for witchcraft outside their kraals), the Hyenas,

g2 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

probably from custom, seem to have got over any such difficulty
q ?
and eagerly devour the remains the moment night sets in,

The Brown Hyena (Hyena brunnea).—Stronte Voolf of the
Dutch.

[Height about the same as the Spotted Hyena. General colour
brown, clouded with a darker shade of the same hue; sibestbiney
transverse markings on thighs, becoming prominent on the legs,
head, tail, and body longer, the latter less bulky wn appearance,
hind quarters little sloped; ears comparatively large, Straight, and
potnted,; hatr all over long and coarse, especially along the back,
sides, and over rump, where tt ts sometimes 8 or 10 tnches tn length;
no prominence of mane. |

Tuis species of Hyena appears to be peculiar to South Africa alone,
and is the most common in maritime districts. An odd one may
still be found in the most unfrequented portions of the Cape Colony,
particularly in the North-western territory, being more plentiful in
the Interior, but nowhere is it socommon as the Spotted Hyena.
One was killed last year within five miles of Mafeking. Its habits
are almost identical with the species last described, but its disposition
is not nearly so aggressive or daring. It mostly frequents the banks
of rivers or the sea shore in search of such dead fish and garbage as
may be thrown up by the water.

The Ard Wolf ov Mona Jackal (Proteles lalandi.)

[Height about 19 inches. General colour, yellowish or reddish
brown, with a few vertical black bands on the sides of the body,
others being horizontal on the legs, the markings somewhat resem-
bling the Striped Hyena (Hyena straita) of Northern Africa.*
General appearance extremely like the true Hyenas,; the body
sloping very much tn the direction of the hind quarters, but ts
different from them anatomically; snout rather long and pointed ;
cars very much so; tatl rather short and bushy; four toes only on
the hind feet; upright mane of stiff hatr down the neck and back;
remainder of fur long and woolly.|

* Tt has been asserted that ‘the Striped Hyena has been found in the Zambesi
regions, but it is probable that it has been confounded with the brown variety

(Hyena brunnea).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 93

Tue “ Mona (maned) Jackal,” by which name it is most commonly
known, may be found all over South Africa, being very scarce below
the Orange River, but gradually becoming more numerous further
North. Although these animals make their burrows near each
other, several frequently occupying the same holes, they must not
on this account be considered gregarious, for when discovered
abroad during the day, more than two or three are never met with
at the same time, nor do they at all hunt in packs like the Wild
Dog. When pursued they run slowly, and can be overtaken at any
time by ordinary Kaffr mongrels, and, showing little disposition to
fight, are easily killed by them. This remark only applies to the
males, a3, when a female is overtaken, the dogs, instead of injuring,
will make every attempt to caress her. Like its congeners, the Ard
Wolf is nocturnal, but, unlike them, its food consists of insects and
reptiles, as well as small animals and birds. The skins are little
sought after for kavoss making. It is hunted when come across with
the Bechuanaland Border Police hounds, and affords very good
sport.

The Cape Hunting Dog (Lycaon venatica)—Vilde Ifonde of
the Dutch.

[Herght about 27 inches. General colour, unevenly blotched with
large irregularly shaped black, white, and yellow patches, strongly
resembling the foxhound,; indeed, at a distance both packs would
scarcely be distinguishable; body lanky and sloping slightly away
towards the stern; legs long and proportionally slender ; head very
much Eyena shaped, but narrower and longer towards the muzzle,
which ts black; ears remarkably large, broad, and nearly rounded. |

In its appearance and characteristics the Hunting Dog very strongly
resembles the Hyena, and indeed Burchell’s mistake in describing it
as the Hyena picta may well be excused, as the difference exists only
in dentition and anatomical structure. In the sparsely inhabited
portions of the Cape Colony, particularly in a North-westerly direc-
tion, some few packs of these animals still remain, and which depend
entirely for their existence on the contributions exacted from the
sheep and goat kraals of the far scattered farmers. In the North-
ern portion of the Transvaal and the Western half of Bechuana-
land, they are more common. Excepting, perhaps, Natal and the
Orange Free State, they are to be found in more or less numbers

94 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

almost everywhere South of the Zambesi, but as it is only in the
most unfrequented places that they are about in the day-time,
it cannot be said that they are very often seen even in their
most common resorts. On account of the dreadful depredations
committed amongst all sorts of cattle by Wild Dogs, there is no
animal held in such utter detestation by the farmers and natives in
remote places in South Africa, and their attacks are carried on with
such cunning, activity, and ferocity, that it is seldom an oppor-
tunity of obtaining revenge occurs. If a pack, which sometimes may
number as many as 30, once enter a sheep kraal during the night,
they will never leave it (unless disturbed in the meantime) without
having slaughtered every living thing in it, and before the first
glimpse of dawn appears, will probably be 20 miles off. No antelope
is safe from assault, and Mr. Selous was on one occasion an eye
witness when a Wild Dog singly attacked a full-grown Sable
Antelope bull. Its audacity may not possibly be very much exag-
gerated when some persons go so far as to assert that the joint efforts
of a pack have been successful in overcoming the Lion. However,
whatever may be the case with other animals, although they do not
in unfrequented places appear to dread the sight of man, on winding
one they clear off very quickly. It has been alleged that the Hunt-
ing Dogs are in the habit of excavating burrows, but this is extremely
doubtful. It is well known, however, that the premises of the ant-
bear (Orycteropus capensis) are annexed by them as habitations,
especially at such times when the females are whelping, but one
of these burrows is sufficient in size to accommodate quite a large
family. In running down their prey, they hunt by sight equally
with scent, and on viewing a victim, perhaps three or four from the
pack will start off in advance, as if to ‘make the running,” while
the remainder follow more leisurely behind on the'scent of those in
front, and by constantly relieving each other in batches, without a
great deal of exertion, thus tire out and run into the hardest running
antelope. When not strong enough in numbers to pull down such
a large animal as the Eland, they adopt the tactics of dashing in
now and then, and by snapping at the tendons of the hind legs,
endeavour to ham-string their prey before finally worrying it to
death, They utter a sort of barking whine.

The Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas).—Silver Jackal ot
the Colonists; Pook-ooe of the Bechuanas.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 95

[Height about 17 or 18 inches. In the adult animal, a well-
defined patch extends over the entire back, becoming almost coal-
black in winter, and which mark resembles in shape and appearance
that peculiar to the Atredale terrier; unter portions bright orange,
sometimes with numerous white hatrs intermixed, feet black; head
greyish brown, body rather slender; legs long; nose sharp; ears
potnted and erect, under portion of tail black, tupped with same
colour, fairly bushy. ]

In summer the white hairs in the fur of this animal wholly pre-
dominate, giving it a silvered appearance, from whence is derived
the name of the “ Silver Jackal,” by which it is commonly known in
South Africa. Hence it may be observed that the varieties of these
animals found in the South seem to adopt as the seasons change
quite a contrary variation of colouring to those of the Northern
hemisphere. The “ Silver Jackal,’ which is the largest and most
common of the South African Jackals, is distributed in more or less
quantities all over South Africa, but, as may be imagined, it is far
more numerous in the Interior. In North Africa and India Jackals
are said to hunt in packs, but this does not appear to be the case
with any of the varieties frequenting those portions of the country
now under notice. Indeed, it is rare to observe more than two or
three together, except, of course, when a lot may assemble around
a carcass. Such stories as that they are providers for the Lion may
be considered as pure fables. Nocturnal in habits, their usual prey
consists for the most part of feathered game, small animals such as
Hares, and the young of the smaller antelopes. During the day,
instead of withdrawing to their burrows, they prefer to lie in
the cover afforded by the thick grass and bushes.

Very good sport may be enjoyed during the months of March,
April, May and June with the hounds of the Bechuanaland Border
Police, of which Colonel Sir Frederick Carrington is Master, the
kennels being at Vryburg, the meets coming off about three times
weekly. The pack, although a nondescript one, composed both of
foxhounds and harriers, will hunt indiscriminately Steinbucks,
Duikers, or the different species of Jackals. As affording the best
scent the latter are preferred, and if met with in a bit of country
free from burrows, many a good half-hour’s gallop has and may be
had early in the mornings before the heat of the sun interferes with
the scent and renders further hunting impossible. On the flats near

96 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Capetown the monotony of existence may be pleasantly broken by
an occasional run with the Cape hounds, which are kennelled at
Wynberg; whilst another good pack is kennelled at Kimberley, in
Griqualand West. In other respects, from a sporting point of view,
the Jackal does not deserve further mention. The fur of the species
now referred to, although of little mercantile value, is highly
thought of when made into karosses, owing to its beautiful contrasts
in colour.

The Motcluse Jackal (Canis lateralis—Sclater).—Motcluse of
the Bechuanas.

(Jn size something smaller than the last described. Body thick
and round; legs and ears shorter, the latter being less pointed ; the
fur, which stands almosterect, ts long, thick and fluffy, of a uniform
grizzly brown, a distinct darker streak running along the sides and
thighs ; the points of each hair minutely tipped with grey; feet and
ears black; tail uniform blackish brown, very thick and bushy,
tipped with white. |

Turs Jackal does not appear to be found South of the Orange River,
but it is rather common throughout the Interior. Its habits are
similar to C. mesomelas.

The Long-eared Fox (Octocyon megalotis).

[Height about 17 or 18 inches. General colour, tron grey ;
tail bushy, tipped with black; body slender ; legs long; ears extremely
large, erect, and less pointed; muzzle grey, long, and very sharp ;
fur thick and close. |

Turs animal is rarely found in the Cape Colony, being, however,
more common in the Interior, although not now considered plentiful
anywhere. The natives assert that the food of this species consists
only of insects, principally termites and ants.

The Hare Jackal (Canis chama).—Haas Fackal of the Dutch.

[Smaller in size than the last described ; ears long and potnted.
General colour, bluish grey, each hair annulated at the tips ; fur
very soft and close ; underneath portions fawnish. |

Tuis species is common in the Interior. The fur is the only one of
the South African Jackals which, properly, has a mercantile value.

GAME BIRDs.

pre Snide Sa
General Remarks.

[The Dutch term for all ground-roosting Francolins and Sand
Grouse is Patraise (partridge); tree-roosting Francolins,
Phaysaants (pheasants) ; Wild Duck, Milde Hunders ; and
Wild Geese, Vilde Hanse. The Bechuanas call the Fran-
colins Le shogho, singular; Ma shogho, plural; Wild Duck,
Di hudi ; Wild Geese, Di peele-peele. |

IN referring to those varieties of game birds frequenting the Cape
Colony, Natal, and Bechuanaland, it must be understood that at the
present time no decent free shooting is actually obtainable in these
countries. Strict game laws are in existence, and close seasons have
been fixed, for all descriptions of feathered game, the varieties of the
Black Khoorhan—O#s afra and O. afrordes—for some unexplained
reason being alone excepted. The owners of the soil, both English
and Dutch, as a rule preserve the game on their properties, and
any person found shooting without permission is just as liable to
legal prosecution as anyone offending in the same manner in Eng-
land. The breeding season of the different varieties of feathered
game is extremely irregular all over South Africa, and the close
times vary so much in almost every district that space would not
permit of the different periods being set out in detail. A proclama-
tion appeared recently in the Bechuanaland Government Gazette,
amending the game laws to the effect that the word “game”
should include Wild Duck, Wild Goose, and Snipe, and fixing a
uniform close season within the territory from the 1st day of Sep-
tember to the last day of February. Although laws referring to
the subject exist in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State,
they do not appear to be much enforced; and if the Dutch farmers
themselves are not very enthusiastic in the preservation of winged
game, they are exceedingly jealous of strangers, and more particu-

G

98 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

larly of “ vooz neks” (Englishmen) trespassing without the requisite
permission. In the independent native territories further North,
where birds are very plentiful almost everywhere, no opposition to
the sportsman is ever entertained by the natives.

In reference to the matter now under consideration, the first
question likely to arise will be regarding the most suitable descrip-
tion of sporting dog for general all-round work in Southern Africa.
On this particular point there is really no difference of opinion.
Setters are incapable of any great or continued exertion under a
semi-tropical sun ; their feet, moreover, are very liable to become
sand cracked, and on these grounds pointers are much to be pre-
ferred. The Francolins, with little exception, are very difficult to
flush, and will, as a rule, seek safety by running on the ground in
preference to getting on the wing. For this reason many sportsmen
are unwilling to go to the expense or trouble of obtaining very
highly bred or trained dogs, as they are likely to get completely
spoiled in their work; and there are very good grounds for this
belief, when it is remembered that a day’s bag as a rule will
be of a very mixed description, and will generally include, in
addition to Francolins and Hares, several varieties of the Bustard
tribe and some of the smaller antelopes. Many instances are sure
to happen in which the only chance of bagging a wounded buck
will rest on the speed and determination of the dogs, and under
such circumstances, as may be imagined, they never will, and are
rarely expected to pay much attention to the words “down shot” or
“to heel.” In any case it is a matter of impossibility to get the
best trained animals in the world to stand calmly and unruffled the
singularly (to them) seductive voice of the varieties of the Black
Khoorhan; and under ordinary circumstances the employment of
such with the fleet-footed Guinea Fowl would simply mean ruination.
When shooting over a thick bush country, cockers are preferable
to either pointers or setters.

Experience will prove that the Francolins and Sand Grouse—
although perhaps not so wild or more difficult of approach in the
ordinary sense as feathered game in England of a somewhat
similar description—one and all possess greater vitality, and require,
so to speak, more shooting. In consequence, a proportionately
heavier sized shot should be used in killing them.

The question of cartridges is important, as one cannot always
depend on obtaining them fresh and of the right description, ready

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 99

loaded. It will be found expedient, before starting on a trip of any
lengthened duration, to become possessed of the usual reloading
implements and the requisite material, filling the empty cases as
may be required. To avoid any annoyance when shooting in the
Interior, black powder should alone be used, as the nitro-compounds
are too much subject to climatic influence.

Before concluding this subject, some remarks on a few of the
numerous enemies which the game birds of South Africa have to
contend with may not be out of place. Some give credit to the
secretary bird (Serpentartus secretartus) as a snake exterminator.
It may possibly content itself, when other food is unobtainable, with
a diminutive reptile or snake, as will several of the hawk and eagle
tribe, the bateleur or short-tailed eagle (Helotarsus caudatus) being
an even more formidable antagonist in this respect. The natives
term this bird Bulat-nogha (snake-killer) or Peekeewe. Although
opinions differ, those who really have had proper opportunities of
judging will say that the secretary bird should itself be exter-
minated whenever occasion offers, as it is not only.a most destruc-
tive enemy to the young of all feathered game, but also to the
young of the smaller antelopes and Hares. Instances of its suscepti-
bility to this description of food are too numerous to mention,
while others can be adduced in which these gay deceivers will most
carefully avoid coming into contact with even small snakes.

It is to be regretted that the Governments of the Cape Colony,
Bechuanaland, and Natal do not put into force a stringent law
defining the number of dogs that may be owned by individual
natives. Every Kaffir herd throughout the countries mentioned is
usually attended by sometimes as many as eight or nine pariahs,
and the destruction of feathered game is consequently enormous,
the young birds having little chance of maturing. A tax on every
dog owned by a Kaffir similar to that imposed upon white men
would soon rid the country of the pest, and prevent the birds from
becoming extinct by the,wholesale and in-and-out-of-season slaugh-
ter that everywhere prevails.

G2

100 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

FRANCOLINS.

The Cape Redwing (Francolinus levaillanti). Fig. 48,
Plate XI.

[Szze conszderably larger than the common English partridge,
the figure proportionately longer and more slender. General colour
of back and wings brownish grey, each feather streaked in the centre
with pale yellow or fawn, and barred with darker brown. Top of
head umberish; breast and belly highly variegated with dark red and
brown streaks, a distinguishable band of white feathers tipped with
black extends over each eye, and passing downwards meets at the
base of the back of the neck; another band of the same colour com-
mences under each eye and meets on the breast; the inside of wings
reddish, from whence tt derives its name, the “ Redwing,” legs and
feet blush yellow. The adult male birds spurred, old females occa-
szonally so.]

Tuts well-known Francolin may be found all over South Africa as
far North as the Crocodile, but is met with more plentifully South of
the Orange River than in the Transvaal or Bechuanaland, another
closely allied species, also called the “ Redwing” (F. garzepenszs /,
more or less taking its place in the latter territories. It does not
prefer any particular description of country, and may be found in
coveys from six to twelve in number frequenting alike the open flats,
hill sides and valleys, but not generally in a thickly wooded locality.
It often strays long distances from water, and consequently the
question has been raised as to whether it is a daily drinker or
not. Having the widest range, and being more readily flushed than
other species, it affords excellent sport when shot over dogs, and may
be said to take the place of the English partridge in South Africa in
a sporting point of view. When flushed, all the birds do not asa
rule rise simultaneously, but generally get up in odd ones, thus
affording opportunities to the pot hunter, should he so desire, of
accounting for an entire covey without much difficulty. When
marked down for a second time, they are difficult to rise again, and
the natives, taking advantage of this, and assisted by their mongrels,
kill them easily with knobkerries. The call—'‘ chirakeely "—which
is uttered towards daylight and sundown, is a quick succession of

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. IOI

shrill but pleasing tones. This Francolin is a ground rooster, and
has only been known to take rufuge in trees when actually wounded.
The flight is strong without being very rapid. The flesh, even in
the old birds, is white, tender, and remarkably well flavoured.

The Orange River Francolin (francolinus gariepensis).
Fig. 50, Plate XI.

[Szze, shape, and appearance so strongly resemble the last de-
scribed that tt reguires a close examination to detect any difference.
The general colour throughout, however, will be found to present a
brighter and more highly variegated appearance, the legs are com-
paratively shorter, while the tail 1s broader and longer. Tt ts also
thus distinguished from F. levaillanti:—Reddish brown takes the
place of umber on the top of head; the under line of mottled black
and white feathers encloses the throat, which ts white; the upper line,
also of black and white, disappears on the side of neck without
meeting. |

Tuis species is not found any considerable distance South of the
Orange River, its range Northwards extending as far as the Zambesi.
Andersson states that in the high table-lands of Damaraland and
Great Namaqualand it is quite common. In Bechuanaland and the
Transvaal it is equally termed the “Redwing” partridge with
Ff, levaillanti, and its haunts, habits, characteristics and call being in
every way similar to that species, extended reference is unnecessary.

The Greywing Francolin (Francolinus afer).

[Scze almost the same as, and at a distance somewhat resembles,
the English partridge. The colour generally is ashy grey; back
covered with darker blotches and reddish brown cross bars, the
feathers streaked with pale brown, throat and stripe extending from
behind the eye down the neck to shoulder, white, tipped with black ;
a reddish band mottled with black runs over the top of the head and
down the centre of back of neck » bill black, long, and curved; tail
barred with dark and reddish brown. Males and sometimes old
Jemales spurred. |

Turs bird is principally found in the mountainous districts of the
Cape Colony and Natal, but it occurs also in the Orange Free State
and the Transvaal. In Bechuanaland, Matabeleland or Damaraland,
it is unknown. The coveys generally average about ten or twelve

102 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

birds, and when flushed in the valleys at once make for the declivities
of the mountains, and concealing themselves amongst the stones are
extremely difficult to find again. This species is not tree-roosting.
The flesh is very good.

The Brown Red-necked Francolin (Piernistes swainsoni).—
Fig. 49, Plate XI.

[Size and weight about the same as a large English cock grouse.
Body square and thick set; throat and space round eyes bare of
Jeathers, showing the skin, which ts of a bright purplish red ; upper
portion of body and wings dark dirty brown, feathers streaked in the
centre and slightly mottled with a darker shade ; breast and belly
undecided greyish yellow ; feet slatey black. |

THE range of this species does not extend South of Potchefstroom
in the Transvaal, or Mafeking in Bechuanaland, but further North
it may be found generally up to the Zambesi. It will be met with
in a grassy country dotted over with brushwood, always in the
immediate vicinity of some river or water-pool, and in the morning
and evening it emerges from the cover and feeds out in the more
open patches, where, if startled, instead of flying it usually runs with
great rapidity to the shelter of the nearest jungle, from the cover of
which, once gained, it is most difficult to dislodge ; it is also very
partial to low-lying swampy ground in which there are reed patches.
Roosting in the night on the branches of the tallest trees, early
in the morning and late in the evening it is generally observed
perched on some stump of dead wood, from whence it utters the
easily recognised hoarse and frequent “ gro-o-o-o-ak.”” Old disused
native cattle kraals are also very much resorted to by this species.
As has already been mentioned, all the varieties of Francolins possess
great vitality. This species in particular excels in this respect, and
it is astonishing what an amount of shot they are capable of carrying
away. The flap of the wings in flight strongly resembles the English
pheasant, and (particularly when making down wind) it flies with
great rapidity. Any sort of cur will do to put it up, but the
employment of trained sporting dogs will generally be found useless
in the thick bush to which they resort when disturbed. They are
rarely met with in coveys. The flesh of the young birds is very
good, that of the old ones being exceedingly tough.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 103

The Pileated Francolin (francolinus pileatus). Fig. 52,
Plate XI.

[Stze a little smaller than the Redwing. General colour above,
light reddish brown, each feather having a very distinct white stripe
down the centre; head crested; breast and belly pale bluish yellow,
the lower portion of the former being regularly marked with large
liver-brown spots; legs deep red; bill black.)

Tue Pileated Francolin is somewhat suggestive of the French
red-legged partridge, and is first met with Northward on the main
road to the Zambesi in the Bamanwaketsi or Kanya country, in
Bechuanaland, the range extending to the Northern portion of the
Transvaal, and throughout Damaraland and Matabeleland. Its
favourite haunts are on the slopes of some timbered, stony Zofjie,
the bird being often discovered at considerable distances from water.
It is to be found in small coveys, and, like the last mentioned
Francolin, it is difficult to flush, when pursued by dogs invariably
taking refuge in the branches of trees, from whence, with crest and
tail erect, as if fearless of danger, it gives vent to its harsh, metallic
and far-resounding “ chi-ra-ka.” The flesh is excellent.

The Coqui Francolin (Francolinus subtorquatus). Fig. 51,
Plate XI.

[Stze about the same as a very small partridge, and somewhat
resembling the Redwing in appearance, the colouring, however,
being much duller; two dark lines above and below the eyes, under
portions dull white, lightly tinged with yellow, barred with brown ys
base of bill, legs, and feet golden yellow ; all the feathers more or
less marked with a white stripe down the centre. |

Tuis is the smallest of the African Francolins, and is found in N atal,
but it is very common in the Northern portions of the Transvaal,
Bechuanaland, throughout Matabeleland, Ngamiland, and Ovam-
boland. It generally frequents broken country covered with low,
scrubby, but not very dense, bush in the vicinity of water.
Although a ground-roosting bird, it will very often when flushed
by dogs take refuge in trees. It is usually met with in coveys of
from ten to fourteen, which afford good sport with trained dogs.
The flesh is quite white and very delicious, excelling that of any
other species of Francolin.

104 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Red-billed Francolin (Prancolinus adspersus).

[Sze about the same as the Redwing, resembling much in
appearance the Notsy Francolin (F. clamator) of the Cape Colony.
Ontform colour, dark shining grey; entire surface covered wrth
minute, narrow, wavy, and closely-placed whitish lines; head crested,
bill and legs bright red.]|

Known in the Interior of South Africa as the “ Silver Partridge,”
these birds are said at one period to have frequented the country
so far South as the Orange River ; if so, it must have been only in
its extreme Western limits. At the present time, however, it is
only found in the far North of the Transvaal and Bechuanaland,
and from thence to the Zambesi. It is common along the Crocodile,
Marico, and Notwani Rivers, and very abundant on the Botletle,
around Lake ’Ngami, and throughout Damaraland and Ovambo-
land, only being met with, however, in the very thick thorn bush
immediately skirting the river banks. Although the most difficult
of the whole tribe of Francolins to flush (and when they do
rise on the wing it is only for the purpose of concealing themselves
in the branches of some very thick bush), they are not by any
means shy in disposition, as the coveys, which usually consist of a
dozen birds, will, if undisturbed, occasionally be noticed feeding on
the refuse corn inside the occupied native kraals.* The voice is
peculiar, and can at once be recognised without any difficulty. It
consists, so to speak, of a succession of loud maniacal shrieks,
increasing in volume to a point at which they end suddenly.

The Cape Red necked Francolin (Piernistes nudicollis).
Fig. 43, Frontispiece.

[Szze considerably smaller, but in shape and appearance very
much resembles tts Northern congener (P. swainsoni). General
colour above, a rich dark brown; the centre of each feather striped
with a darker shade; breast and belly almost black, covered wrth
Srequent broad and prominent white stripes; throat, chin, and space
round eyes devoid of feathers, the skin of which ts bright purplish
red. |

THe range of this Francolin is limited to some of the thickly
wooded Western maritime districts of the Cape Colony, Pondoland,

* Mr. Nicolls has on several occasions, when fishing along the Botletle River, observed
these birds approach to within a distance of three or four yards ina calm and unconcerned
manner.

Fig. 48.—Tue Repwine FRANCOLIN
(Francolinus levaillantz).

Fig. 49.—Tur Brown Rep-neckep Fig. 50.—TuE Orance River
FRranco.in (Prernistes swainsont). FRrancouin (F. gartepensts).

Fig. 51—Tue Cogur Franco.in
(F. subtorquatus).

Fig. 54—THe YELLOW-THROATED SAND
Grouse—Femate (Prerocles gutteralis).

Fig. 57—Pucueran’s Guinea Fow
(Numida pucherant).

Fig. 52—Tue PILEATED FRANCOLIN Fig. 53.—THe NaTat FRANCOLIN
(£. pileatus). CF. natalensis).

Fig. §5——THE YELLOW-THROATED SAND
GrousE—Mate (P. gutteralis).

Fig. 56.—Tue VartecaTep Sanp GROUSE
(P. variegatus).

“ig. §8—Tite Common Guinea Pow.
(N. coronata),

Fig. 59.—Verraux's Guinra Fow.
(N. Verrauxt).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 105

and the Eastern borders of Natal. Its habits, call, and characteristics
are very similar to the Brown Francolin. It is not by amy means a

common species.

The Noisy Francolin (Francolinus clamator). Fig. 42,
Frontispiece.-

[Considerably larger tn size, but very much resembling the Reda-
billed Francolin (F. adspersus). Uniform colour, dark greyish
brown, each feather marked lengthwise with narrow streaks of
greyish white; chin and portions of the throat white; feathers of
the neck edged with white, belly almost black, each feather having
a broad white stribe down the centre. |

Tus is the common “pheasant” of South Africa. It frequents the
kloofs and wooded districts of all the maritime portions of the Cape
Colony and Natal. Its utterance is particularly harsh, loud, and
resounding, somewhat like that of the Red-billed Francolin, and like
that bird, when startled it will at once take refuge in the branches
of trees; but when driven out into the open it affords excellent
sport, and is quite the commonest game bird met with along the sea
coast. Its flesh is deservedly esteemed.

The Natal Francolin (Francolinus natalensis). Fig. 53, Plate XI.

[Considerably smaller than the Brown Francolin. The upper
portion of body paleish brown, mottled with a darker and lighter
shade; neck, breast, and belly, dirty white and spotted with dark
brown, feet, legs, and base of bill orange. |

Tue Natal Francolin—called by the Dutch the “Namaqua Pheasant”
—may be found in the mountainous portions of the North of Natal,
the Transvaal, Bechuanaland, and some parts of Matabeleland, but
nowhere in any great numbers. They are rarely met with in
coveys. It isa very shy and wary bird, and in its most accustomed

resorts is not often seen. Its habits are similar to the Brown
Francolin.

Shelley’s Francolin (Francolinus shelleyi).

[Resembles F, levaillanti and F. gariepensis, dut can be distin-
guished by the middle and lower breast and belly being white, irre-

106 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

gularly marked transversely with wide black bars, the feathers of the
upper breast rufous chestnut, marked and barred transversely with
black; legs yellow. |

Tue above Francolin is so described by Mr. W. R. Ogilvie Grant
in Vol. II. of the Zé7s, 1890, under the heading of “ New and Rare
Francolins.” It is found in Natal, Swazieland, and Northern
Matabeleland.

QUAIL.
The Common Quail (Coturnix communis).

[ Above, brown, variegated with grey and black, the shafts of many
of the feathers with a broad whtte stripe; head dark brown, with a
light buff stripe down the centre and over each eye ; throat and
chest deep rufous, the former in the male with a black patch down the
centre, the latter with faint whitish lines down the shafts of the
Jeathers; flanks longitudinally richly variegated with dark brown
black and pale buff; belly, light yellowish brown, immaculate —
Layard and Sharpe’s Birds of South Africa.]

THe Common Quail is met with in far greater numbers in the
lower divisions of the Cape Colony, the Transvaal, and Natal than
further North. The migrations to South Africa usually commence
about the month of August, but depend almost entirely on the
rainfall. In those parts which have been affected by a drought of
any lengthened duration their presence is wanting ; while in others
in which wet weather has been experienced, they are found in
countless numbers, and afford: excellent sport when shot over
sporting dogs.

The Harlequin Quail (Coturnix delegorgue’).

[Szze constderably larger than the Common variety, “ Above,
fuscous ctnereous, with black and white transverse markings ;
feathers of the back and the wing coverts marked with longitudinal
whrte patches, bordered and centred with black ; top of the head and
neck brown, eyebrows and a little mark on the top of the head
white ; a short band between the nostrils and the eye, and others

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 107

beneath the eyes black, throat and fore part of neck white ;

the greater part of the chest black; belly tntense rufous, larger
spots black, under the wings white; bill black, legs yellow.”—
Layard and Sharpe. ]

Tus species is to be met with throughout South Africa generally,
but nowhere plentifully. Its habits are similar to the last described.

Adanson’s Quail (Coturnix adansont).

Tuis can scarcely be termed a South African bird, as its visits are of
such extreme rarity, and for this reason it is passed over with the
brief remark that the general colour throughout has a bluish tinge.

The South African Hemipode (Zurnix hottentotta).

[This and the two following varieties may be distinguished from
the true Quail by the absence of the hind toe. Szze a tittle larger
than the Common Quail. “ General colour, vartegated black, brown,
and white, the colours so disposed on each feather as to make the
bird appear scaley ,; sides of the head, chin, throat, and breast clear
rufous, the stdes of the latter variegated with black and white bars,
belly and flanks albescent.’—Layard and Sharpe. ]

Founp in the lower portions of the Cape Colony and Natal, but is
seldom met with. Its habits are identical with the under-mentioned
variety.

The Kurrichane Hemipode (Zurnix lepurana).

[Size a little exceeding that of a sparrow. ‘ Above, ground colour
intermediate between pale rufous and light chestnut . . . on the
neck, back, and shoulders numerous slender blackish brown bars or
trregular crescents. . . chin and throat dull white ; middle of
breast pale Dutch orange . . . stdes of breast and belly white,
with a yellowish tinge ; each feather with a narrow shaped brown
spot near the point.’ —Layard and Sharpe. |

Tuis diminutive little game bird is known in Bechuanaland and the
Transvaal as the “Button Quail,” and scarcely exceeds four inches
in length. It isfound rather plentifully in the Transvaal, Bechuana-
land, Namaqualand, and Matabeleland, but is only an occasional

108 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

visitor to the Cape Colony. It frequents in beveys up to twelve in
number long rank grass valleys in the neighbourhood of temporary
pools, periodical watercourses, and old disused mealie and Kaffir-
corn fields. It is rare to flush more than one at a time, and they
run in and out through the long grass with great rapidity,
considering their size, when hard pressed lying so very close as to
almost allow of their being trodden upon before taking to the wing.
Even when assisted by a good dog, it is almost impossible to flush a
second time. The flesh is delicious.

GUINEA FOWL.

The Crowned or Common Wild Guinea Fowl (Mumida coro-
nata). Fig. 58, Plate XI.—( Tarantal of the Dutch; Di-cawka
of the Bechuanas.)

[Larger in the horny crest, heavier in the body, darker in colour,
devoid of any white feathers in the wing, but otherwrse strongly
resembling the domesticated bird. |

Tue Wild Guinea Fowl is still preserved in many parts of the Cape
Colony, Natal, and the Orange Free State, and is very plentiful be-
tween these countries and the Zambesi. Along some of the rivers
in the Interior, such as the Botletle, Okavango and Crocodile, it is
found in enormous quantities. During the winter or dry season of
the year it is very gregarious, and at such periods may be met with
in flocks amounting to several hundreds. Although these birds in
the course of a single day will often wander more than twenty miles
in search of food, they are invariably found in the neighbourhood of
water, to which they always return at nightfall, selecting some high
and thick bush or tree for their roosting place. Their presence is
generally indicated by their utterance of a sharp metallic “ chir-rir-
rir-rir-rir,” which can be heard along distance. On being disturbed,
the Guinea Fowl does not, as a rule, at once take to the wing, but
starts running at a pace so rapid that it is often necessary to ride a
horse at a stiff canter in order to keep on level terms with them—
and this notwithstanding the long rough grass and low bush. If
the flock can first be scattered by the aid of any sort of cur, they
will then tree or lie sufficiently close in the grass to be ‘‘ walked
up.” It is then, and only then, that the assistance of a well-
trained sporting dog becomes valuable, and very large bags can

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA, 109

be made. The “pot hunter” selects the time immediately before
darkness for his operations, and having taken up a position near
some favourite roosting place, a shot into the brown generally
proves disastrous to the unfortunate birds. As an example of how
game, not alone of this but of every other description, in South
Africa is gradually becoming decimated through wholesale and
useless slaughter, which cannot be too strongly condemned, it
may be mentioned that some years ago a party numbering over
twenty, and including several well-known “sportsmen,” when on a
trip along the Notwani River (a tributary of the Crocodile in
Bechuanaland Protectorate), unnecessarily subsisted for over fourteen
days almost entirely on the livers of Guinea Fowl, the remaining
portion of the bodies being generally thrown away. The flesh of
the young bird is white, and excellent in flavour.

Verreaux’s Guinea Fowl (Mumida verreauxi). Fig. 59,
Plate XI.

[Body black, with greenish tinge, and spotted with greenish white;
head adorned with large upright jet black velvety feathered crest ;
throat, red; neck, blue. |

Tuts bird inhabits the dense bush in the low-lying and unhealthy
country on the East Coast South of the Crocodile River, and was at
one time plentiful in Natal, but it is only occasionally that a speci-
men can be obtained there now.

Pucheran’s or the Zambesi Guinea Fowl (Mumida pucherani).
Fig. 57, Plate XI.

[Almost tdentical with the last described, with the exception that
the spotted plumage 1's continued on the breast to the throat. |

Founp rather plentifully in the bush belts along the Zambesi, and
some very beautiful specimens have been brought from that river

by Mr. Francis, the well-known trader, and domesticated on the
Crocodile.*

SAND GROUSE.

The Namaqua Sand Grouse (Plerocles namaqua).—Namaqua
Patraise of the Dutch.

IIo THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

[About the same stze, and very much resembling in appearance
and tn manner of flught the common English grey plover. General
colour, greyish brown, throat, dirty yellow, feathers of back mottled
with dark brown and bright buff, each one marked with a purplish
spot; wings, blackish brown; two bands divide the breast from the
belly, the upper dirty white, and the under, rufous; belly, purplish;
two or three of the tail feathers long and running gradually to
a sharp point, legs, feathered. |

Tue Namaqua “ Partridge” (under which name it is always desig-
nated in South Africa) is very common indeed throughout all the
Karoo districts of the Cape Colony and Little Namaqualand, but it
seldom occurs much South of the Hex River Pass. Although plenti-
ful in Griqualand West, it becomes less so Northward, and in the
lower portions of the Transvaal and Bechuanaland gradually gives
way to another species somewhat similar, and known as the Double-
banded Sand Grouse (P. d:czuctus). It is generally met with in pairs,
and frequents the red sandy plains so common to the country,
feeding principally on the very small black and hard seeds of a
species of creeping plant indigenous to the arid wastes. When
squatting on the ground it can only be distinguished with difficulty,
and will permit of very near approach before rising on the wing,
which it does with startling commotion. The flight, however, being
rapid, and at first irregular, it is not by any means a very easy bird
to bag. During the winter months, when the summer rain-pools
are exhausted, the Namaquas and two other varieties of Sand Grouse
gather indiscriminately together, and resort morning and evening in
large flocks to the permanent dams and v/eys. The flights occur
between eight and half-past nine in the morning, and for half-an-hour
before and ten minutes after sun-set, at which time their approach
is heralded by their incessant sharp cries, ‘‘ chuck-a-wee,” which is
only uttered while on the wing. Before drinking they fly round in
repeated circles, and then descend almost perpendicularly to the
water with such velocity as to cause a hissing sound, and, delaying
only for a short time after drinking, are again off to their feeding
grounds. Some of the permanent water pans in the Karoo, Damara-

* In the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of February 18, 1890, Dr. P. L. Sclater
remarks that the “Guinea Fowl of the Zambesi referred to by Capt. Sterling, Mr. Elliot,
and Dr. Sharpe as NV. pucherant is not that species, butis a species more closely allied to
N. cristata.” There are specimens of this bird at present in the Zoological Gardens.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. III

land, and the Kalahari are frequented by the different varieties of
these birds in extraordinary numbers, and as many as fifty have been
potted with a right and left shot while drinking along the margins.
The flesh of all the Sand Grouse, with, perhaps, the exception of the
Yellow-throated species (P. gutteralis), is exceedingly tough, but may
be slightly improved by skinning, which operation should only be
performed immediately before cooking. When baked the improve-
ment is more marked.

The Double-banded Sand Grouse (Pterociles bicinctus).

[Stze somewhat smaller than the last described, which, however,
at resembles very much i general colour, the second band between
the breast and belly being black in place of reddish brown; white
patches over the eyes; back, less mottled in appearance and wanting
tn the purplish spots ; belly, dirty white; legs, feathered. |

Tuts is the most common of the Sand Grouse of the Transvaal,
Bechuanaland, Damaraland, Matabeleland, and the Kalahari, but it
does not range South of the Orange River. Its habits are in every
way identical with the Namaqua, it being almost impossible to
distinguish the voice of one from the other.

The Variegated Sand Grouse (Pterocles variegatus). Fig. 56,
Plate XI.—(Gheel Patraise of the Dutch.)

[Scze the same as the Namaqua Sand Grouse. General colour
above, light olive, profusely covered with small white spots and here
and there dashes of canary yellow, the latter colour appearing in the
bare space round the eyes; breast, purplish brown, well spotted with
white; wing feathers tipped with white ; legs, feathered. |

In common with the Double-banded variety, the “ Golden Partridge”
frequents the countries North of the Orange River, South of which
it is only very rarely met with. Its habits are also similar to that
just mentioned, except, perhaps, that it only delays for an instant at
the water when drinking, the note, moreover, being less sharp and
Piercing. When proceeding to the vdeys in the morning and evening
to drink, this variety intermingles freely with the two already
described, and it is not by any means uncommon, after firing a
charge of shot into a flock, to find the bodies of the three species at
the same time among the slain.

Il2 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

o

The Yellow-throated Sand Grouse (Péerocles gutteralis).
Figs. 54-55, Plate XI1—(Vaacht Patraise of the Dutch.)

[Szze same as a large English partridge. Back, light brown,
approaching to reddish brown on the wings; chin, throat, ‘and
sides of head canary yellow, a single dark brown crescent-shaped
band runs across the upper portion of breast, which ts ashy yellow ;
belly, rich reddish brown; legs, feathered.|

Tus species is found in portions of the Transvaal, Bechuanaland
(rarely South of the Molopo), Matabeleland, and Mashonaland. It is
probably unknown in Damaraland; at all events it has not been
observed at any of the large v/eys, such as Lehutatoo in the Central
Kalahari, and which is frequented by other varieties in thousands.
It is not met with anywhere very far removed from water, and,
unlike other species of the Sand Grouse, has no regular drinking
hour, being often observed approaching the water long after sun-
down. In flocks generally of about half-a-dozen it will usually be
found resorting to the corn lands, and appears to be extremely
partial to Kaffir-corn, on which food it principally subsists. The
flight is excessively strong and rapid, while its note—only uttered
on the wing—is a harsh, loud “ gluck,” which can be heard a long
distance. From the nature of its diet, the flesh is far preferable to
that of any of its congeners.

BUSTARDS.

The Kori Bustard (Otis kori)—Ghaum Paauw of the
Dutch ; Kori of the Bechuanas.

[General colour above, minute wavy lines of motiled brown and
grey, getting lighter and approaching white on outstde of wings,
which are covered with uneven dark-coloured patches ; some of the
quill feathers tipped jet black ; head and neck minutely mottled with
white, tipped with grey, approaching black on skull; large tufts of
feathers on head directed backwards, tipped with black; breast and
underneath, white ; legs, bluish yellow.)

Tue Paauw is the largest and noblest-looking game bird in
existence. It is still sometimes, but not frequently, to be met with
in the Karoo Belt extending South of the Orange River and in the

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. II3

Northern portion of the Cape Colony, the borders of Natal, Zulu-
land, and the Orange Free State, but is quite common in the
Transvaal, Bechuanaland, and Damaraland, its range extending to
the Zambesi. Its most favourite haunts are flats which at one time
have been under cultivation, as well as in bare open plains which are
dotted over with low mimosa bush. It is named the Gum Paauw
on account of its predilection for the gum which flows from most
varieties of the acacia, but it is not particular as to diet, for in
addition to seeds, locusts (on which it grows excessively fat), beetles,
and other insects, it has no objection whatever to an occasional
lizard or small snake. It is nearly always found in pairs, and chooses
its feeding time in the morning and evening hours, lying down
during the heat of the day in the cover of some shady bush.
Although contrary to the statements of some naturalists, it is never-
theless an undoubted fact that these birds during some of the winter
months very often congregate together in flocks numbering as many
as twenty. This was particularly observed on several occasions last
year in British Bechuanaland, and as there were not any locusts in
the vicinity at the time, it is difficult to account for this unusual
circumstance.

The Paauw varies considerably in size, the average weight of the
adult male being about 20lbs., but it is not by any means unusual
to obtain specimens that turn the scale at 3olbs., and reliable
authorities mention having seen them exceed solbs. The species is
voiceless. Although presenting no very difficult mark for a rifle
bullet, when feeding on the open flats the Kori is a very shy and
difficult bird to approach sufficiently near for the range of a shot
gun, and the best plan to adopt under such circumstances, if on
horseback, is to ride slowly round at a distance of a couple of
hundred yards from the bird and gradually narrow the circle. If
this tactic is adopted, it will, like most others of the Bustard tribe,
often lie down as if to escape notice, and thus a shot may be
obtained, although not without the expenditure of time and trouble.
Towards mid-day, when the sun is very hot, and when having their
usual szesta in the shade of some bush, they are very readily
approached, and taking rather a long time to get well on the wing,
ready opportunities are offered of sending in both barrels at very
close quarters ; but even when riddled with buck shot, they will
often fly away out of sight as if uninjured. Although the stroke of
the wing when in flight is very slow, yet when well on the move

H

lig THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

they are capable of getting along with great rapidity considering
their weight. As an instance of the vitality of this bird, one was
shot in Bechuanaland some time ago which flew fully half a mile
after receiving no less than two bullets from a rezulation Martini-
Henry rifle clean through the breast. Charges of triple A shot
should be used. Water does not appear to be absolutely necessary
for its existence, and the same remark applies to all other species of
the Bustard tribe found in South Africa. The inner portion of the
flesh on the breast when cooked is snow white in colour, the outer
nearly black. Both, however, are equally good, and when allowed
to hang for a sufficient time, excel that of all other game birds in
flavour.

The Stanley Bustard (Otis caffra). Fig. 41, Frontispiece —
(Wild Turkey of the Cape Colonists.)

[General colour above, greytsh black, waved and streaked with a
lighter shade ; top of the head black with a white streak down the
centre of skull; space around back of neck reddish brown, wings
variegated, with large irregular patches of black and white ; front of
neck slightly mottled wth slate, stdes of same approaching white ;
belly, white; tatl banded alternately with white and black, the bands
being three in number. |

Tuis species of Paauw is found in the Karoo and Northern portions
of the Cape Colony and Griqualand West, and in Natal, but seems
to be more common in the Orange Free State. It is unknown in
Bechuanaland, Damaraland, or Matabeleland, but a few specimens
have been seen in the Transvaal. In the early morning and late in
the evening it emits a low melodious humming noise, and in the
pairing season the cock birds give vent to far-resounding booms
somewhat resembling those uttered by the bittern. Its habits are
almost the same as the Kori, but it is inclined to frequent more
hilly and stoney districts. The flesh is excellent, and very similar in
quality to the last mentioned.

Ludwig’s Bustard (Otis udwigi).

[ Szze somewhat larger than the last described. General colour
above, light yellowish brown, very minutely and thickly waved with
a darker shade of the same colour ; top of head black ; back of neck

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 115

reddish brown, front of same and chest, white ; wings mottled with
white and dark brown ,; tatl barred transversely with four black or
very dark brown streaks. ]

Tuis Bustard is now getting very rare, but may be met with
occasionally throughout the Cape Colony, Natal, and the Orange
Free State, and is also said to be an occasional visitor to the
Transvaal, but is unknown in the other portions of South Africa.
Its habits and resorts are similar to the Stanley Bustard, but it may
be met with much more in the coast direction, and it is not long
since-several specimens were observed on the Cape Flats, within a
few miles of Cape Town. The flesh is also very good.

The Black-bellied Khoorhan (Otis melanogaster). Fig. 39,
Frontispiece.

[Body long and slender, about double the size of the common
Black Khoorhan, the hen bird of which tt somewhat resembles in
colour. General colour above, mottled ashy grey, covered rather
regularly with large black arrow-shaped spots ; tail a shade darker
than the body, with several small transverse black bands; a large
portion of the wings white; a black narrow stripe extends down the
Front of the neck and joins the belly, which is uniformly of the same
colour, black; head considerably crested. The fluffy, pinkish, under
down of the feathers fades after death, as in the Vaal Khoorhan
—-O. scolopacea.]

Turs bird is now rare, but it is said to be met with in Natal. On
the high plateau of Mashonaland, however, and particularly in the
neighbourhood of Fort Salisbury, it is pretty common. In the
alluvial plains immediately North of Lake ’Ngami it is also to be
found, and is there called by the natives Kori ca le-claka (reed Kori).
Owing to a thin layer of oily fat lying immediately beneath, it is a
very difficult bird to skin. When come across in reeds and long

grass it will at first invariably attempt concealment before getting on
the wing. Its habits are solitary.

The Black Khoorhan (Otis afra).

[Szze of the male bird about that of a cock pheasant, the hen being
smaller and lighter tn colour. Back, wings, under portion of head,
neck, breast, and body velvety black; ears white; back and upper

LS

116 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

portion of wings traversely marked with alternate waves of dark
brown and rich yellow; a white collar round base of the back of
neck; shoulders of wing white; quills jet black, bill, legs, and feet
bright orange. |

In conjunction with the following species this is the commonest of
not alone the Bustard tribe but of all the game birds met with in
South Africa. It is still very plentiful throughout the Cape Colony,
but after passing the Orange River its place is gradually taken by the
White-quilled variety (O. afrozdes), and seldom ranges Northward
of the Molopo River in Bechuanaland. Although properly termed a
solitary bird, when one is discovered others are almost sure to make
their objectionable voices heard in the vicinity. On the approach
of an intruder, the cock bird, instead of attempting concealment,
at once makes his presence known; and perhaps the most familiar
sound which is constantly dinned into the ears of the traveller
in South Africa is the grating and mocking “ go-back, go-back,
foot-sack, foot-sack”” of the “ quarrelling cock.” This cry is made
by the bird when stationary, and at a distance of complete safety
from the object of its alarm. Should an approach be made toa
distance at which the Khoorhan might consider his personal safety
in jeopardy, he immediately springs into the air, and flying round
just out of range, keeps letting off volumes of direful imprecations on
the devoted head of his pursuer. The female, on the contrary, is
quite of a retiring disposition, extremely difficult to flush, and when
wounded or in danger usually seeks refuge in some adjacent ant-bear
or meercat hole. It is generally in a disused burrow of the latter
animal where she lays and hatches her eggs. She is voiceless.

It may be concluded from the above remarks that on bare open
flats the Khoorhan is a very difficult bird to get at, but as they are
also well disposed to frequent districts in which there is plenty of
cover, large bags can be made, but, strange to say, of every ten
birds shot there is usually only about one hen obtained. Although
the movement of the wing in flight is quick, the bird’s progress is
not by any means rapid, and after being flushed it usually rests again
at a short distance. Their mode of alighting on the ground is some-
what peculiar, for instead of coming down in the ordinary manner of
birds they descend perpendicularly, at the same time extending the
feet forward as if feeling the way. Although this Bustard affords
fairly good sport, and has the advantage of being met with in parts

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 117

not frequented by other descriptions of game, yet, taking it as a
general rule, its absence is more desirable than its presence to
the sportsman. Sporting dogs are almost valueless as an aid, and
the most patient and best trained pointer or setter quickly gets
ruined in its pursuit, while its flesh is tough and inferior. If skinned
before being cooked, it will be found much better.

The White-quilled Black Khoorhan (Ozis aes Fig. 38,
Frontispiece.

[Seze, shape, colour, and vorce tdentical with the Black Khoorhan,
with the exception of one distinguishing mark. On the quill feathers
being opened (if the outer two are excluded) they are all marked
with white. |

Tuis variety does not extend South of the Orange River, but is more
common in the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and Damaraland than the
Black Khoorhan, its range extending Northward to the Tropic of
Capricorn. Reference to the last described will be sufficient in every
way for the one under notice.

The Vaal Khoorhan (Otis scolopacea). Fig. 45, Frontispiece.

[Body somewhat larger and legs longer than O. afroides. General
colour, light reddish brown, streaked and mottled with dark reddish
brown and black, head adorned with crest; throat and chin black,
surrounded with a creamy yellow edging » the under fluffy portion
of all the feathers pink, which fades rapidly after death, a black
distinguishing NV at the back of the, head; quill feathers black. |

Tuis bird is occasionally found in the Karoo of the Cape Colony, but
is much more plentiful in the Transvaal, Bechuanaland and Damara-
land, although its range does not appear to extend so far North as
the Zambesi. It generally associates in pairs, but is sometimes dis-
covered in families numbering half-a-dozen, frequenting open sandy
grass-covered flats sparsely dotted over with the camel-thorn tree,
its favourite haunt, early in the morning and late in the evening,
being on the slope of some gentle rise in the surrounding country,
at which times its presence may be easily distinguished by its
crowing voice “kir-rak-a-rack-a-rack.” In the heat of the day it is
difficult to discover, and, when found, prefers seeking concealment

118 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

to escaping on the wing. The manner of flight resembles that of
the Paauw but is much more rapid. It is not by any means very
common, but is most abundant on the verge of the Kalahari. The
flesh is held in better estimation than the Black Khoorhan.

The Blue Khoorhan (Otis cwrulescens). Fig. 40, Frontispiece.

[Scze about one-and-a-half larger than the Black Khoorhan.
Colour above, brown uth a reddish tinge, very minutely mottled with
a darker shade and black; crown of the head, black ; cheeks and all
around eyes, white ; band of black around the throat ; front of neck,
breast and belly, slatey blue; head, crested; tail feathers tipped
weth black. |

In small parties of three or four at a time, and generally somewhere
near water, this Khoorhan is still found in the Karoo portions of the
Cape Colony and a few districts in Natal, being now very scarce in
both countries. It is, however, much more common on the flats in
the Orange Free State, and is occasionally spoken of in the Southern
part of the Transvaal, but does not frequent any other portion of
South Africa. It is not by any means a difficult bird to approach,
particularly late in the evening, and its voice and manner of flight
very much resemble the Vaal Khoorhan. Flesh rather tough.

The Bush Khoorhan (Otis ruficrista). Fig. 44, Frontispiece.

[Body larger and more thick-set than the Black Khoorhan ; head
and neck slatey blue, large tuft of purplish red on head; general
colour of the upper portions blackish brown, distinctly mottled and
barred with rich brown, regularly covered with prominent V marks ;
belly black. |

Tus Bustard is unknown in the Cape Colony, and frequents the
very thick bush of the Transvaal, Bechuanaland, Matabeleland, and
Damaraland. It is solitary in its habits, the most favourite resort
being on low, stony ridges or hofjies thickly covered with bush,
The flight is very quick, and when flushed closely resembles that of
a woodcock in the manner of its diving in and out with great
rapidity through the bush, presenting by no means an easy shot.
In this respect it is not alone different from other birds of the
Bustard tribe, but it is very often observed soaring on what is called
the “dead wing,” and although all the lesser species make some sort

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. II19g

of a commotion when rising, this one does so noiselessly. Mr.
Ayres, the Transvaal ornithologist, observes that the Bush Khoorhan
gives vent at times to a low, humming noise, somewhat resembling
the hoot of an owl. If this is the case, the habit has not generally
been recognised. A peculiar incident in connection with this bird
which occurred in British Bechuanaland may be worth mentioning.
A party of gentlemen were shooting close to Mafeking, when a Bush
Khoorhan was repeatedly observed to fly perpendicularly in the air
to a height of about forty feet, and there turn a back somersault,
falling downwards in a lump, only extending its wings just before
touching the ground. The bird was actually shot when performing
one of these novel acrobatic feats. The flesh is very fair eating,
being better than any other variety of the lesser Bustards.

The Senegal Khoorhan (Otis senegalensis).

(“ General colour above, bright rufous, variegated with black; tail
barred with four cross bars, that near the point being broadest ;
top of the head black in the male, rufous tn the female, minutely
mottled and changing into light ash colour at the back; cheeks and
chin white ; throat and crescent shaped mark at the back of the head,
jet black; lower part of throat and breast rufous, with here and there
a bluish tinge, large wing feathers black, the rest bright rufous;
under parts whete, length 16 or 17 inches. Itts sard to frequent the
Transvaal, Natal, and Free State. Doctor Exton procured tt at
Kanya,* in Matabeleland.” |

Tuis what must be termed rare species is described as above in
Layard and Sharpe's Birds of South Africa, and is reproduced by
permission of Dr. Sharpe, and must be closely allied to the Vaal
Khoorhan (O. scolopacea).

Ruppel’s Bustard (Odis rueppellt).

[“ Male, above, clear fulvous, ver miculated with black; crown, ashy
blue, rayed with brown, eyebrows and a malar streak, nape and
middle of the throat, and longitudinal median band on the forepart

* Mr. Nicolls resided, off and on, for over twelve months at Kanya (which is in the
Bechuanaland Protectorate, and not in Matabeleland), but never met with one of the
species.

120 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

of the neck, black, stdes of the head, white; lower parts, dirty
white; first and second quills blackish, rufous white near the base;
and others buffy white, with the tip blackish.’ |

Tus species is so described in Layard and Sharpe’s Birds of South
Africa, and, according to Andersson, is to be found in Great Nama-
qualand. The above description is reproduced by permission of
Dr. Sharpe.

DIKKOPS.

The Dikkop ov South African Thick-Knee (Q@dicnemus
capensis). Fig. 46, Frontispiece.

[Seze considerably larger than the common Thick-knee found
in England. General colour above, light fawnish brown, darker
down the back of neck, and approaching dirty white on the
lower portion of wings, mottled and streaked all over with dark
brown; belly, dirty whete; chin and upper portion of neck, white ;
the shape of the head very much resembles the woodcock, and 1s
aisproportionately large for the size of the body; eyes, owl like,
excessively large and protruding, of a greenish yellow colour.]

Tue Drixxop is very migratory in its habits, and may be found scat-
tered all over South Africa as far up as the Tropic of Capricorn, but
not in large quantities in any particular places. It is sometimes met
with in small flocks, but usually in pairs, and is very much inclined
to frequent broken stoney country sparsely overgrown with vaal
bush. When disturbed it runs with considerable rapidity, and, like
most of the Bustards, prefers concealment in the bushes to imme-
diate flight. When on the wing the legs are stretched to the full
extent backward like the heron, and the flight being slow and
regular, it is a very easy bird to shoot. It is supposed to feed only
during the night, its food consisting principally of a very small
species of black ant ; it will, however, also devour locusts with avidity.
The flesh is white and very good.

The Natal Dikkop (@dicnemus natalensis).

[This can be readily drstinguished from, the last described by its
enferior size, proportionately larger bill, and, generally, deeper colour,

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 121

a rather broad edging of slatey brown lining the upper and lower
portions of the wing.]

Founp only in the Eastern districts of the Cape Colony and Natal,
and is very rare.*

WILD FOWL.

The Spur-Winged Goose (Plectropierus gambensis). Fig. 63,
Plate XII.—Vilde Macauw of the Dutch; Peelee Peelee of the
Bechuanas.)

[Back black, tinged with copper; upper portion of wings dark
green, the under portion mottled with white; fore part of head bare
of feathers, the skin of which and bill are dark crimson ; legs, flesh
coloured; chin, lower portion of breast and belly, pure white. |

Tus very fine bird, which derives its name through being furnished
on the shoulders of each wing with a strong sharp spur often
considerably exceeding an inch in length, is capable of being
domesticated without difficulty, and is the largest of the African
Geese.t The reedy margins of Lake 'Ngami and the marshes of
the Okavango, Chobe, and Zambesi are its true home, where it
breeds in enormous quantities. Half-a-dozen broods were hatched
last year in the numerous v/eys surrounding Vaalpen’s Pan, about
thirty miles from Mafeking. When the pans and vleys are filled
with water after periods of heavy rain, they forsake the impenetrable
swamps, and generally in couples scatter all over the country, seldom,
however, straying so far South as the Orange River, being rarely
met with along rapid streams with pebbly bottoms. The broods
usually number from eight to twelve, the old birds remaining with
their progeny for the remainder of the season following the nesting.
They do not feed in the day, but may be then observed at rest on
the open water or standing motionless on some dry bank, rocky
prominence, or island. When on the wing they continuously utter
a low hissing noise, and shortly after sundown, just before darkness
sets in, leave their day resorts and fly to the feeding ground, which
is generally some very shallow pan or swamp overgrown with grass,

i Another species is said to frequent portions of Mashonaland, known as the Ver-
miculated Thick-Knee (@dicnemus vermiculatus).'

+ Specimens have been obtained weighing 15 lbs.

122 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

and here they spend the night in search of leeches and water
animalcule. Although the Spur-winged Goose often alights on trees,
it does not roost or hest in them, but usually deposits its eggs on
some dense reedy island, or under a low bush in the immediate
vicinity of water. During the night, and when on the way to and
from the feeding places, they fly very close to the ground, at an
elevation only sufficiently high to enable them to avoid coming into
contact with trees or bushes, and, as a rule, if not disturbed, will
nightly take the same line of flight, a circumstance which is often
taken advantage of by sportsmen. They are very wary and possessed
of great vitality, nothing smaller than buck-shot (except at very close
quarters) taking much effect on the leathery skin of the old birds,
the flesh of which is exceedingly tough, that, however, of the young
ones being tender and deservingly esteemed.”

The Egyptian Goose (Chenalopex wegyptica).—( Berg-ghanse of
the Dutch.)

Tus Goose has been more or less acclimatised in England, and may
be seen on most of the ornamental ponds in the London gardens
and parks. Being so well-known in appearance, a description is quite
unnecessary. It is the common Wild Goose of the Cape Colony,
and may be found in greater or lesser numbers up to the Zambesi,
and frequents rapid running streams as well as the v/eys and pans,
being met with either singly or in pairs. Unlike the Spur-winged
variety, the moment the young brood is strong on the wing they
part company, and go into the world on their own account. It builds
its nest indifferently on dry land, or in shallow v/eys overgrown with
long grass, and when on the wing continually utters an exceedingly
loud harsh grating note. The flesh is considered better than that of
the Spur-wing.

The Dwarf or Pigmy Goose (Wettapus aurilius).

[Size somewhat the same as the common teal of Europe. flead
and portion of back, glossy dark green ; upper part of side of neck
and portion of cheek, a very brilliant pea gecen; parts of cheek,
front of head, throat, and belly, white; chest and portion of back,
browntsh red. |

* If the variety known as Riippel’s Goose (Plectropterus rueppellt) is really distinct
from the Spur-wing, both frequent the "Ngami and Zambesi cou ntries.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 123

Tuts beautiful little goose is stated to be an occasional visitor to some
parts of the Cape Colony and Natal, but it is seldom met with in the
Transvaal. A pair were shot on the Molopo River, close to Mafeking,
three years ago. About Lake ’Ngami* and along the Okavango,
Botletle and Zambesi Rivers it is quite common, and is generally
found in flocks of about half-a-dozen, frequenting some still and
retired nook overhung by trees. The flesh is rather tough and

oily.

The Knob-billed ov Spur-winged Duck (Sarcidiornis afri-
cana). Fig. 64, Plate XII.

[Specemens have been obtained measuring 27 tnches in length.
This peculiar species of Duck very much resembles the Spur-winged
Goose not alone tn colour, but also in the presence of less developed
Spurs on each wing. The back, however, approaches more to brown
than black, the coppery tinge being more distinct, while the wings
are of a brighter green; the white of the head and neck spotted
distinctly wrth black; a flat tndta-rubber-like knob ornamenting the
uppor mandible of the drakzs, and sometimes those of the fully
matured ducks. |

Tue Knob-billed Duck is nowhere common, and does not appear to
be known South of the Orange River. It is occasionally met with
in the Transvaal and Damaraland after heavy rains, but is more
plentiful in portions of Matabeleland and in the Lake ’Ngami, Chobe
and Zambesi regions. The first place on the Northern road to the
Interior in which it has been known to breed and continually
frequent is a chain of small, dense, reedy vleys, formed by the
Taungs River in the Kanya Country, Bechuanaland Protectorate,
about ten miles from the Chief Maghosi’s town. When observed it
is usually in large flocks, often amounting to thirty and forty in
number. The manner of flight is in the form of a V, while the slow
stroke of the wing, shape of the body, and length of legs and neck,
bear a greater resemblance in every way to a Goose than a Duck, for
which reason it is commonly, although perhaps erroneously, called
the “ Knob-billed Goose” by Colonials; and when, in addition, its

* Mr. Nicoll’s native servants caught two Geese of this description with a fish net
near Moremi’s old station at De-nokane, North of Lake "Ngami, but all efforts to
preserve them alive proved fruitless. They have, however, been admirably mounted
by Messrs. Rowland Ward.

124 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

large size be taken into consideration, such a mistake can reasonably
be excused. Generally frequenting secluded v/eys margined with
timber, it is rather a stupid bird and not by any means difficult of
approach, particularly when perched on the branches of trees, as,
when in this elevated position, it appears to be under the impression
that all danger is removed. When a flock is met with in some
favourite resort, although it may fly away after being fired at, it will
usually return again and again to the same place after short intervals,
and affords a sportsman every opportunity of obtaining a large bag.
The flesh is delicious, and is said by some who have had an oppor-

tunity of judging to rival in flavour the canvas-back duck of North
America.

The Black Duck (Anas sfarsa). Fig. 61, Plate XII.

[Szze constderably larger than the common mallard. General
colour, very dark brown, almost black, mottled about the head ;
wings and tail marked with several distinct white round spots ;
wings marked with two narrow bars of white and black, followed
by a broader one of lustrous green. | :

Tuis very shy and now somewhat. rare Duck is only found along
some of the sluggish rivers of the Cape Colony proper, the Orange
Free State, Natal, and occasionally on the Southern borders of the
Transvaal. Some ten years since it was not at all uncommon on the
Reit and Modder Rivers (tributaries of the Vaal), but always kept
concealed during the day under the shade of the karee or willow
trees which overhang the banks of these streams. It is not found in
Damaraland, Lake ’Ngami, or Okavango regions, but is said to

frequent portions of the lower Zambesi. It is always met with in
pairs.

The Yellow-necked ov White-backed Widgeon (7halas-
sornis leuconota). Fig. 68, Plate XII.

[Size somewhat larger and the body more thick set than the
common Wrdgeon of the British Isles. Bull blackish brown, shaped
like that of a goose, broader towards the point; head mottled
minutely with brown and dirty yellowish spots; neck nearly all
round, yellow ; feathers of same, and on breast and belly, fluffy and
otly looking, like those of a grebe,; upper portion of breast mottled ;

Plate XII.

. Fig. 61.—Tue Brack Ducx (A. sfarsa).
Fig. 60.—Tue YELLOw-BILLED TEAL bu eee Fig. 62.—THe Crivson-BILLED TEAL
(Anas zanthorhyncha). (Pactlonetta erythorhyncha).

Fig 65—Tue Hotrentot Trav
(Querqudula hottentota).

Fig. 63.—Tue Srur-wincep Goose (Plectropterus gambensts). Fig. 6;—TH: Knos-sittep Duck
(Sarcidiornis africana).

, oe Fig. 67.—Tue Maccoa Duck
Fig. 66—Tue Cape SHOVELLER (Erismatura maccoa). Fig, 68—THE YELLOW-NECKED WIDGEON
(Spatula capensis). (Thalassornis leuconota).

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 125

underneath, a uniform dirty light brown, minutely streaked with a
darker shade; feathers on back, black, edged with broad lining of
yellowish brown, the white of the back imperceptible unless the
wings are open; paddles exceedingly large and placed far back ;
tail, fan-shaped, consisting of about half-a-dozen short and almost
bare shafts. |

Tus nondescript bird has been spoken of as an occasional visitor to
some of the w/eys in the Cape Colony and Natal. In the Transvaal
and Bechuanaland it is far more common than is usually supposed,
but owing to its habits is not often noticed* It, however, frequents
the open waters of Lake ’Ngami simply in thousands. The flesh is
rather too oily to be palatable, and will not keep longer than a day
in hot weather.

The Maccoa Duck (Zrismatura maccoa). Fig. 67, Plate XII.

[Size slightly smaller than the last described. General colour,
uniform reddish brown, paleing on the wings and underneath ; head
black, bill slatey blue, resembling that of the Cape Shoveller
(Spatula capensis) iz shape; tail feathers scarcely more than
bare shafts, placed more together, potnted, and less fan-shaped than
in the Yellow-throated Widgeon. |

Tuts Duck is, like the last mentioned, a wonderfully expert diver,
and rarely takes to the wing except when migrating from one v/ey

* Mr. Nicolls has shot round the numerous grass v/eys in the neighbourhood of Vaal-
pens Pan in the Bechuanaland Protectorate on and off for the past six years, but
until last year he was not aware of the existence of this grebe-looking Widgeon in the
district, although he has now no doubt whatever that they resort in large numbers
to these waters after heavy rains. Colonel Sir Frederick Carrington and other gentle-
men from Mafeking have also constantly visited the pans in question, and although
they generally procured very large bags of other wild fowl, we are not aware that the
species under notice formed any portion of them. Last year we took a canvas boat
to the pan above mentioned, and with considerable difficulty forced our way in it
through the thick grass towards a small portion of open water in the centre of one of
the largest of the veys, killing with the first discharge eight of these birds when
sitting, Although probably five or six dozen more were there at the time, the
remainder dived, not a single one taking to the wing. After gathering the dead birds,
the neighhourhood was searched for a considerable time, but we did not meet with
other specimens, nor could we discover any nests, although it was in the time of the
breeding season. Mr. Nicolls’ experience at Lake "Ngami has been similar, and
although he has shot dozens from a Berthon boat there, he never yet saw one in
flight. They always resort to the open water outside the reed beds, and never venture
in the shallow spaces next the shores. Mr. Nicolls is certain they are capable of
diving fifty or sixty yards.

126 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

to another after heavy rains. It may be met with all over South
Africa in certain seasons of the year, but is everywhere exceedingly
scarce, even in that home of water fowl, Lake 'Ngami.

The Masked Duck (Dendrocygna viduata).

[Same size as the Crimson-billed Teal. Bill black; fore half of
head spotless white; back of head and neck black; wings dark
brown; the feathers of back a lighter shade, each one being edged
with pale yellow ; upper portion of breast uniform reddish brown ;
sides marked with alternate transverse streaks of brown and yellowrsh
white. |

Tuis pretty Duck is unkown in the Cape Colony, but is said to be an
occasional visitor to Natal and the Transvaal. It is often met with
on some of the large pans of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, but
does not breed there. On the Zambesi, Chobe, Botletle, and
Okavango Rivers, and on Lake ’Ngami, it is quite common, and
may be seen in flocks up to a hundred flying in the form of a V.
At Moremi’s old station at the South-eastern corner of Lake 'Ngami
they pass up and down in enormous quantities, the flights taking
place just at and for a short time after sundown, their approach
being heralded with shrill whistles. Like the Knob-billed Duck, this
species may be observed perched on trees. The flesh is delicious.

The Crimson-billed Teal (Pecilonetta erythrorhyncha). Fig.
62, Plate XII.—(Vley Duck of the Colonists.)

[Length about 18 inches. Top of head umber brown; cheeks
dirty white ; outer edges of bill crimson ; neck minutely mottled
with brown and white; back, shoulders of wings and quills, dark
brown, each feather of the back fringed with pale yellowish pink ;
two bars of pink on the wing, the one broad and the other narrow,
divided by a narrow green one; breast and belly brown and dirty
white.|

In Bechuanaland, the Transvaal, Mashonaland, and Damaraland, this
Teal is quite the commonest met with, and breeds on almost every
favourable pan in these countries, usually preferring those which are
shallow and overgrown with grass. Jt does not appear to breed in
the Cape Colony or .Natal, but may occasionally be met with after
heavy rains. The nests are generally found floating on the water in

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 127

the long grass, but sometimes they build under bushes on dry land,
but always very close to the water. They go in flocks of about half-
a-dozen, and when fired at do not immediately forsake their haunts,
but will continue to fly in circles, thus giving many opportunities to
the sportsman. They are excellent divers, and being possessed of
great vitality, are capable of carrying away a lot of shot. Unless
killed outright, it is almost impossible to find them in grass-grown
vleys, as they will generally lie under water with merely the tip of
the bill exposed. Under similar circumstances they have a habit,
if not too severely wounded, of forsaking the water and taking
refuge in any long grass or bushes which may happen to be near
the margin. They inhabit the grass weys throughout Bechuana-
land in great numbers, and bags exceeding one hundred have often
been obtained in a single day about Vaalpen’s Pan.

The Yellow-billed Teal (Anas xanthorhyncha). Fig. 60, Plate
XII.—(Gheel-bek of the Dutch.)

[Size intermediate between the Black Duck and the Crimson-
billed Teal, which latter tt much resembles. The general colour 2s,
however, considerably paler, and the feathers are margined with
dirty white instead of being pinkish; wings marked with a bright
bluish-green broad bar, edged with white; centre of upper bill
blackish brown, remaining portion orange yellow. |

Tuis is the commonest Teal met with in the Cape Colony proper,
the Orange Free State, and Southern portion of the Transvaal.
Like the Crimson-billed Teal, it frequents rain pools and veys in pre-
ference to running water, where it is usually observed in pairs. Its
habits are also similar to that species. Further Northward it be-
comes scarcer, and is only a rare visitor to Lake ’Ngami.

The Cape Teal (Querquedula capensis).

[Size almost the same as the Crimson-billed Teal, and is thus
described in Layard and Sharpe's “ Birds of South Africa” :—
“ Head, ash grey, profusely streaked with blackish dots; lower part
of neck and breast ash grey, profusely variegated with reddish
brown broken bars, giving the plumage a scaled appearance, feathers
of the back, dark reddish brown, each feather edged with lighter ;
Speculum of the wing, bright green, edged with white and black ;

128 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

shoulders dark ash; legs reddish; webs dusky, claws black; bill
red, the base black.” |

Tus Teal is similar in its habits to the Crimson and Yellow-billed
varieties, although it is not by any means so plentiful as either. It
is not found in the Interior.

The Hottentot Teal (Querguedula hottentotta). Fig. 65,
Plate XII.

[Size about the same as the common teal of the British Islands.
Top of head brown; cheeks and chin dirty yellow ; breast and belly
light reddish brown, the former sparely blotched with umber brown ;
back, dark brown, the feathers fringed with a paler colour ;
shoulders of wing dark umber, remaining portion of same dark
green, relieved with a white longitudinal streak , quills dark brown. |

Tuis is the smallest of the Cape wild fowl, but is rather rare, being
occasionally met with in the Cape Colony, Natal, and the Transvaal.
It has not, to our knowledge, been seen in Bechuanaland or Matabe-
leland, but at Lake ’Ngami it is fairly common, frequenting the
shallows singly or in pairs, but never in flocks. It is exceedingly
wary, and flies with great rapidity.

The Cape Shoveller (Spatula capensis). Fig. 66, Plate XII.

[About the same stze as the Yellow-billed Teal, and ts easzly dis-
tinguished by the projecting shovel-shape of the upper mandible.
Lower portion of head and upper portion of neck, dirty whtte,
minutely mottled with small brownish spots. General colour, dark
umber brown, each feather margined with pale buff; shoulders of
wings pale blue, followed by a narrow bar of white, and again by a
broader one of blackish green; legs and paddles dirty yellow. |

ALTHOUGH the Shoveller is by no means common anywhere in
South Africa, it is perhaps more so in the territories bordering the
Orange and Vaal Rivers, as a good many have been exposed for sale
from time to time on the Kimberley market. Mr. Andersson
mentions its presence in the northern portions of Damaraland.*

* Mr. Nicolls never observed the species at Lake ‘Ngami.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 129

The South African Shell Duck (Casarca cana).

[Szze about the same as the Knob-billed Duck, and 7s thus de-
scribed by Layard and Sharpe :—‘ General colour, rufous, inclining
to yellow (fulvous) on the chest and vent, and motiled with minute
wavy black lines on the back; rump and lower part of back very
dark grey ; tail black, shining green; shoulder pure white; green
patch on the wing very large; head and neck ash coloured, with a
dark rufous collar.” |

Tus Duck is very scarce, and does not appear to stray much North
of the Orange River. It is unknown in Bechuanaland, Matabele-

land, or the Lake ’Ngami regions.

The South African Pochard (Aythia capensis).

[About the same size as the Crimson-billed Teal, and ts thus
described in Layard and Sharpe's ‘Birds of South Africa” :—
“ General colour above, deep brown, minutely variegated with grey ,
below deep brown, tinged with rufous, more especially on the flanks
and shoulders ; lower part of the neck and breast approaching to
black, tinged with faintish purple; cheeks and sides of upper part
of neck, rich dark chestnut; small spot on the chin and bar on the
wing white.”

Tue Pochard is an occasional visitor to the Cape Colony and
Natal, being, however, more common in the Transvaal and grass
oleys of Bechuanaland. It is also rather plentiful at Lake ’Ngami.

The Cape Duck (Pecilonetia capensis).

[About the same size as the Crimson-billed Teal. General
colour, uniform mottled very light brown and white ; the wings and
Spots on back a darker shade; head and upper portion of neck
minutely mottled; a dark green bar on the wings, enclosed on ‘each
side and below with white ones. |

Tus Duck is found in the maritime portions of the Cape Colony,
but is unknown in the Interior.

130 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

SNIPE.

The Black-quilled Snipe (Gallinago nigripennis).

[“ Zhes fine sntpe may be easily distinguished from the common
snipe of Hurope by the larger size, and by the blackness of the dorsal
plumage, as well as by the greater number of tail feathers, which in
the last named bird are only fourteen in number."—Layard and
Sharpe's “Birds of South Africa.”]

Tus is the common Snipe of the country, and is met with more
plentifully in the Cape Colony and the Transvaal than elsewhere,
being only a very rare visitor to Bechuanaland or Damaraland. It
frequents in wisps the muddy veys, but is seldom seen along the
running streams. It is a very easy bird to shoot, as, on being
flushed, it flies straight away, without any twists or turns, its pro-
gress at the same time being very slow. In the breeding season
it gives vent to the same drumming noise as the European snipe.

The Great Snipe (Gallinago major). Fig 47, Frontispiece.

In appearance this bird resembles the last-mentioned in every way,
from which, however, it may be distinguished by the pale hue of the
cheeks.

The African Painted Snipe (Rhynchea capensis).

[Stze a little larger than the common European snipe. As a
rule tt may be taken that the males of all birds are more brilliantly
marked than the females, but the order of nature ts very much
reversed in the case of this spectes, the beautiful metallic lustre
permeating the plumage of the latter, and the refulgent green of the
wings forming a contrast with the tamer, though scarcely less hand-
some, colouring of the former. From its appearance the Painted
Snipe can so readily be distinguished from tts congeners, that a
more minute description would be superfluous. |

GENERALLY met with in pairs, frequenting muddy vleys and occa-
sionally the margins of running streams, these birds are distributed
all over South Africa, nowhere, however, by any means plentifully,
though more common in Damaraland, Ovamboland, and the Western

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 131

maritime division of the Cape Colony. Their flight is heavy and
slow compared with the common snipe of the British Isles, and when
flushed they will only fly a short distance before again returning to
the ground. Its flesh is equally delicious with the other varieties.

The Southern Ostrich (Struthio australis)—Vogelstruis of
the Dutch; ’Vché of the Bechuanas.

[Possessed of but two toes, the outer shorter than the tnner,
the spoor ws easily distinguished. The Ostrich of South Africa
ts recognised as distinct from the North African species, and
although they vary very Iittle in plumage, the egg shells of the
Cape bird will be found less rough exteriorly.)

THE supposition that there is more than one variety frequenting the
Kalahari or Damaraland is now generally considered to be an error

As is well known, the Ostrich has been successfully domesticated,
and Ostrich farming is carried on not alone in South Africa, but in
other parts of the world, the feathers from both the tame and
wild birds forming for many years past one of the principal articles
of commerce of the Cape Colony. The wild Ostrich is. still
plentiful in portions of the Kalahari, particularly so in that stretch
of country lying about 100 miles Southward of Lake ’'Ngami, and
on the Eastern confines of Namaqualand and Damaraland. It
is also occasionally met with in the Barkly West district.
Numerous flocks still roam on the great bare flats around Mababe
and the Makari Kari salt pans, while in Matabeleland it is found
in favourable lucalities, where not driven out by explorers. Owing
to its great speed—which exceeds that of any of the antelopes—and
the difficulty of bringing horses into the waterless tracts which it
frequents, at the present day it has become rather difficult to secure
specimens. It haunts the bare open flats, or such as are covered with
stunted patches of bush, in flocks of from about ten to twenty, and is
very often met with in the company of the Zebra and Wildebeest.
Being exceptionally keen sighted, stalking generally proves fruitless,
and the best (in fact the only) plan to adopt if mounted on coming
across a troop is, instead of riding straight at it, to proceed at a
wide angle, and as the birds when pursued will invariably start run-
ning in a circle, with a decent horse they can be cross-cutted, and
several running shots obtained. Of course, the chances are naturally

K 2

132 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

much improved when several horsemen are engaged in the chase,
each, on the occasion, taking a different angle. If these tactics be
adopted on a very hot day, it is not unusual for an entire flock to be
ridden to a standstill ; in cool weather they are capable of running
clean away from any ordinary Colonial horse in astern-on chase. The
cock birds when domesticated are exceedingly dangerous to approach,
especially in the breeding season, fatalities very often occurring in
connection with them, and when bent on attack, they first commence
operations by knocking down an intruder with a forward kick, and if
not thoroughly satisfied with this feat, they then proceed to execute
a series of hornpipes on the generally inanimate body, and as a full-
grown Ostrich will weigh between two and three hundred pounds,
it may be imagined that individuals so operated upon, have not, as
a rule, an opportunity of afterwards relating their experiences.
No instances have been recorded in which the wild birds exhibit
this vicious disposition. Early in the morning they emit a sound
not at all unlike the very much subdued roaring of a Lion, but a
very little experience will be sufficient to enable one to be dis-
tinguished from the other. It is quite a mistake to suppose that
Ostriches exist altogether without water ; they will certainly not go
very much out of their way to obtain it, but where a ready oppor-
tunity is afforded, they drink constantly. Almost every introductory
book to natural history deals fully with the habits and peculiarities
of these birds, and also. of the numerous devices employed by the
Bushmen and other natives for their destruction. It is therefore
unnecessary to devote more space to them, but anyone anxious for
further information will be amply repaid by the perusal of Mr. J. W.
Douglas’ excellent work on the subject.

Eek:

Sareea

Some Remarks on the Fish of the Country.

Lovers of sport in the shape of sea fishing will not be disappointed
in this respect on visiting South Africa, as the Cape seas actually
teem with a truly wonderful variety of the finny tribe, which not
only afford excellent diversion in their capture, but also offer a vast
field of interest for the observation of the naturalist, as numberless
specimens are still nameless and unknown to science. Some idea
may be formed of the enormous quantities of fish frequenting these
waters when it is quite a common sight to witness tons upon tons
stranded after the graving dock at Cape Town has been emptied of
water ;* and it is literally the truth to say that during certain
times of the year it would be difficult to shoot an arrow from
some of the landing stages without impaling some sort of fish, but
more particularly those of the mackerel tribe. Whatever Cape
Town may ultimately become, it is certainly not the liveliest city in
the world, and without in the least depreciating its very beautiful
surroundings, it is possible for one to tire of visiting the many places
of interest in its neighbourhood, and of constantly viewing the stupen-
dous grandeur of Table Mountain and its “table cloth.” At such
times the monotony of existence may be happily broken by the
excellent fishing in the environs; and of the numerous favourable
places for the enjoyment of such, none can be recommended so
much as around Penguin Island, ten miles out in False Bay, or off
the Roman Rocks, near Simonstown. In favourable weather in
either of the localities mentioned, monsters—bearing almost every
conceivable colour and imaginable shape—may be hauled up with
surprising rapidity. Of course, it must be understood that deep-sea
lines are alone to be used. Excellent sea-worthy boats may be hired
for about twenty-five shillings per diem at Kalk Bay, a station on the
Simonstown Railway, about an hour by rail from Cape Town. But

* On February 14, 1889, according to the Cafe Times, no less than 128 tons of fish
were taken from the graving docks.

134 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

even without going so far from the Metropolis, Table Bay itself
(and particularly towards Robben Island) will furnish the sport, par
excellence, in the shape of Snook fishing, while immediately round
the breakwater the hard-tugging Gheelbeck and other varieties too
numerous to mention may be captured. Taking it all round,
however, it will be a matter of difficulty to find one place more
favourable than another along the entire coast of South Africa for
the indulgence of this pastime.

The same remarks are not applicable to the fresh-water fish of the
Cape Colony proper, or Natal, and the angler will have little oppor-
tunity for displaying his skill with rod or line, as the varieties
inhabiting the African rivers are few in number and afford little
interest to the sportsman or naturalist. It is to be hoped, however,
that matters will now change for the better in this respect, thanks
to the enterprise of a few gentlemen who, after going to considerable
expense and surmounting numerous difficulties, have, we hope, at
length succeeded in introducing trout into some of the streams of
the Cape Colony.* There seems to be no reason why the experi-
ments now started in earnest should not have an equally favourable
result as in New Zealand, and when such suitable rivers as the Vaal
and the Orange are now so easily reached from the coast, ultimate
success ought to be assured. The South African climate, at least,
should not form any obstacle thereto, but it is feared that any
attempts to introduce the salmon would prove a failure, as the
natural features of the rivers would generally obstruct the fry from
getting to and returning from the sea. However, as these questions
have now assumed an aspect of importance, the Colonial Govern-
ments should at once strictly enforce the hitherto neglected laws
framed against the atrocious practice of killing fish with dynamite.
Regardless of any idea of sport, but actuated with the sole intention
of making a haul, persons guilty of using this explosive for the
moment forget that for every mature fish obtained in this manner,
thousands of the smaller fry are destroyed at the same time.
Although, as already stated, it is otherwise in the rivers of the
extreme South, it will be found (as regards the abundance and

* It has been reported that « trout of 2 lbs. 15 ozs. in weight, 18} inches in length,
and with a girth of 8} inches, has been creeled in the Mooi River, Natal. If the dimen-
sions are as given, the girth is ridiculously disproportionate to the length, as « trout
measuring 18} inches should weigh at least 6} lbs. It is probable that the specimen
referred to was “ spent.”

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 135

variety of their denizens), that the Zambesi, Botletle, and Okavango
Rivers, with their tributaries, and Lake ‘Ngami, will favourably
compare with the Cape seas, and here also an extensive and un-
explored field for the operations of the naturalist still remains
practically untouched. Several native tribes in the tropical portions
of South Africa—and notably the Makobas and Masieuvias—except
in a few solitary cases, are not in possession of horned cattle, their
principal means of subsistence mainly depending upon fish, and par-
ticularly some descriptions closely allied to the perch. These are
captured in enormous quantities when the inundations occur, with a
species of net very skilfully made from the fibre of a flagger-looking
plant (Sanseviera lanuginosa) which grows extensively in the vicinity
of the rivers and lakes, the threads from which are almost as fine as
silk and as strong as fishing gut. Of course, sport with the rifle and
shot-gun will be the most exciting attraction in the Interior, but
game is not likely to be always at hand, and even where so the work
of slaughter in this direction will pall even on the most ardent
sportsman. A day off with the fish will often form a pleasing
contrast to the usual routine of life in the wilderness, and no one
travelling in the Hinterland should be unprovided with a couple of
the strongest jack-rods and a good supply of tackle of a description
similar to that used for perch, roach, and other coarse fishing in
England, and strong hand-lines and cod-hooks for “ Barbers.’ It
would be quite a matter of impossibility to give, within the compass
of this volume, a complete list of the South African fish, but
mention will be made of some of the best known varieties which are
most likely to form an attraction in the way of sport.

FRESH-WATER FISH.

The Cat Fish (Clarias capensis)—Barbel or Barber of the
Cape Colonists.

[This is a species of the Seluroids, and authenticated specimens
have been obtained weighing upwards of 70 lbs. The skin devotd of
scales, and is similar to that of the eel; head and mouth excessively
large, the upper portion of the former flat and composed of a horny
rugged shell, resembling tn texture that of the gurnard, and some-
tumes exceeds in weight the remainder of the body, eyes very small,
placed close to the corners of the mouth, the latter of whitch are
merely bony excresences; upper and lower lips furnished with long

136 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

barbels or feelers; back, dark umber brown; belly, pinkish yellow,
those found in Lake’Neamt being of a more reddish colour. In
appearance tt might fairly be said to resemble a cross between an eel
and a gigantic tadpole, if such a monstrostty could bossibly be in
extstence. |

Tue “Barber” is the commonest of the South African fresh water
fish, and may be found in almost every river and dam throughout
the country. The waters of Lake ’Ngami, the Botletle,* Limpopo,
and Zambesi Rivers are actually alive with them, and they there form
the ordinary food of the Crocodile.t It is a strange but at the same
time a well authenticated fact that some of the v/eys inhabited by
these fish, which were full of water during the summer, and to which
there is no possible inlet or outlet, although, perhaps, absolutely dry
during the entire winter, are again restocked with them in equal
quantities when they become refilled. From this it would appear
almost certain that they remain without any moisture whatever
during the intervening months encased in the sun-baked mud of
about the same consistency as concrete. The Boers account for this
by saying that the fish store a sufficient quantity of water in their
enormous heads to last them until the summer rains release them
from captivity! Possessed of the keenest of appetites, they feed at
all hours of the day and night in the summer-time, but bite most
ravenously early in the morning and late in the evening, taking
almost any sort of bait, from a lump of blue mottled soap down to a
piece of the flesh of their own species, but at all times they have a
strong fancy for the entrails of Guinea Fowls and Francolins. As no
angling skill whatever is necessary, a strong hand line and cod hook
will be found sufficient to all intents and purposes for their capture.
It is merely a waste of material to use a lighter line, as, when hooked,

* Messrs. Nicolls and Hicks, when fishing one day on the Botletle River with two
hand lines, in the space of an hour and a half landed twenty-two of these fish, none of
which were under ten or over twenty pounds in weight; and Mr. Eglington, in the
company of two others, and using a similar line, has caught in the Notwani River an ‘
even greater number in an equally short period, although the majority were much
smaller, the largest turning the scale at twenty-seven pounds.

+ For the capture of the Crocodile, a peculiar description of triangular harpoon-shaped
hook is manufactured, the line to which it is attached consisting of cable wire nearly
half an inch in thickness, which should be fastened to « stout but yielding branch
overhanging a pool frequented by the saurians. The liver of an ox is the best bait
that can be used, and this should be allowed to dangle just over the water without
touching it.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 137

the first rush is for the weeds, in which, if they they once become
entangled, it will be found almost impossible to clear then. As
they do not possess air cells, when killed with an explosion of
dynamite they will not float on the surface like other fish, but
remain at the bottom, their necks being invariably broken by the
force of the concussion. When caught under one pound in weight
they are very good eating, but those much exceeding that size are
excessively coarse.

The Yellow Fish (Barbus capensis).—Gheel Fisch of the Boers.

[Specimens have been taken weighing over 20 lbs., but the average
run ts between 2 and 3 lbs. In shape tt ts not unlike the common
dace, but the body ts more elongated and slender in proportion.
Colour of back, pale greenish brown; remaining portions golden
yellow, tinged throughout with green ; scales very large.]

Tuis fish is common in the Orange, Vaal, Reit, and Modder Rivers,
and may be found in almost every stream in the South, afford-
ing very fair sport with rod and line. In the Crocodile and its
tributaries it becomes rather scarce, and never attains any large size,
while it is unknown in the rivers within the Tropics. Between
daylight and nine o'clock in the morning, and for an hour before
sunset, it is on the feed, rarely taking a bait during the extreme heat
of the day, and will usually be found frequenting the deep eddies on
the edge of rapid running water. Ordinary perch tackle will be
found sufficient, using a float and fishing as near to the bottom as
possible without letting the bait actually rest stationary on it. It
will take worms and locusts well, but when these are unobtainable,
the entrails of small birds may be used with effect. When caught
weighing upwards of two or three pounds, although bony, they are
very fair eating, but when smaller they are almost useless. To cook,
scrape off all the scales, tightly tie the fish in a cloth, and boil in
water containing plenty of salt. They are not at all nice when fried.

The Mud Fish (Ambrostomus capensis).—Modder Fisch of the
Dutch.

[Seldom exceeds 2 Ibs. in weight. Back, brownzsh purple, with
green tinge; belly, yellowish white. Can readily be distinguished

138 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

by rts pulpy-looking mouth, which ts pointed downwards, the lower
lip projecting inwards; scales very small.]

Tue Mud fish is very common in the sluggish rivers of the Cape
Colony and the Southern portions of the Transvaal and Bechuana-
land which have muddy bottoms. Feeding only on minute insects,
no instance has been recorded in which the species has been captured
with baited hooks, although thousands annually fall victims to the
dynamitard. For culinary purposes it is absolutely useless, although
the Boers, when opportunity occurs, preserve large quantities by
salting and drying.

The Silver Fish.

[May be caught up to 3 lbs. in weight, and in shape resembles
the Yellow Fish. The colour 7s a bluish silver grey, with a pinkish
tunge.]

Tuis fish is not met with in the rivers North of the Crocodile, and as
an object from which sport can be derived, it deserves no special
mention. It is not good eating.

The Burrowing Perch or Culper (probably closely allied to
Tilapia sparrmanti ).

Tue “Culper’” in appearance resembles the Azabas or climbing
perch, and is not to be found in the rivers of the Cape Colony, being
first met with in the Marico and Crocodile Rivers, where it seldom
exceeds half-a-pound in weight. In the Botletle, Zambesi, and other
rivers within the Tropics, it attains a weight of over two pounds and
is quite common, while Lake ’Ngami swarms with the species, which
forms the staple article of food of the Makobas and Masieuvia tribes
of the Interior. It will generally be found in the still pools on the
edge of rapid-running water, and when the rivers have overflowed,
resorts to the inundated flats, where it excavates holes in the alluvial
soil, presumably for the purpose of depositing the spawn. Without
attempting to further explain the reason for these excavations, the
burrows, as they may well be termed, generally represent five round
funnels three or four inches in diameter, placed in a circle surround-
ing a centre one of considerably larger dimensions, all sunk to a
depth of from one to two feet in the ground, and leading into each
other at the base. When the rivers have retired into their natural

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 139

beds, these receptacles retain a certain amount of moisture during
the dry period, and are packed so closely together that it would be
difficult to ride a horse across the flats without sinking into them at
almost every step. Although the ordinary food of this fish consists
almost altogether of soft grasses and aquatic vegetation, they will
bite freely at grasshoppers, worms, and the larvee of bees and hornets.
Like the common perch, they proceed in shoals, and as their appetites
are delicate and capricious, light tackle should alone be used for their
capture. During some hours of the day they feed on the bottom,
and at others closer to the surface of the water, in consequence of
which the depth of the sink should be constantly changed, until a
favourable result is obtained. Besides netting enormous quantities
of these fish, the natives also kill them by setting most ingeniously-
contrived traps (made from dry reeds and papyrus) between the deep
bed of the river and the shallow water of the inundated lands. The
Culper is exceedingly good eating, and comes in quite as a luxury to
anyone who has been subsisting for a length of time on venison.

In addition to the above, there are two other varieties of the Perch
tribe inhabiting the Zambesi, Botletle, and Okavango Rivers. One is
an extremely fine fish, very much resembling the American fresh-water
bass, and the colour of which is golden green indistinctly marked
with transverse bands of a darker shade. It has been caught with
ordinary hand lines baited with the entrails of Guinea Fowl, some
specimens weighing up to four and five pounds, and is very fine eating.
It frequents deep, rapid-running water, and when hooked with a
rod and line gives excellent play.

The other is a smaller variety, which scarcely exceeds seven or
eight inches in length, and it can be distinguished by the peculiarity
of the mouth, which is large and capable of being extended forward
to a considerable distance. It will be found in shallow rapid run-
ning portions of rivers which have rocky bottoms. It is the only
species of African fresh-water fish that has been caught with an
artificial fly.

The Pike-like Fish (Sarcodaces odoé—family of Characinide :
Gunther.)

Tuts paradoxical fish is uncommonly like the Pike in shape and
colour. Its formidable teeth are, however, unretractile, the two
lower fangs, so to speak, fitting into the cavity of the nostrils; and

140 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

when the mouth is closed, the points of the same project slightly
above the snout.” If reliance can be placed on native report, it
attains a very large size, but we have never succeeded in capturing a
specimen exceeding three pounds in weight. This fish frequents deep
water on the verge of the reeds, and affords good sport; and it may be
captured with live or any sort of spinning bait. We have usually
obtained it when trolling from a Berthon boat and using gimp tackle.
It is indifferent eating, but the natives relish it very much.

The Squeaker.

[Has not been caught exceeding 12 tnches in length. The body
narrow and elongated, scaleless; bright silver in colour, and
semt-transparent like a whiting with the skin removed. It may be
distinguished by the pectoral fins being furnished with very sharp
Spines, which inflict wounds most dificult to heal.|

Tuts fish is common in the Crocodile and Marico Rivers and some
of the streams in the Northern portions of the Transvaal, frequent-
ing the still eddies of rapid sharps with rocky bottoms, and takes
grasshoppers and worms well. Only very light tackle should be
used. It is without exception one of the most delicious of all fresh-
water fish,

There is another description closely allied to the above called the
“Tiger Squeaker,”’ on account of its being marked in a manner.
similar to the loach. It feeds entirely on the bottom, and the flesh
is oily.

Tue Botletle and Zambesi Rivers furnish another variety of an
excessively predatory and very beautiful fish, the name of which is
unknown. Those which have been caught weighed from three to six
pounds, and may be distinguished by the teeth, which are closely set,
and projecting beyond the mouth, present a terrific array. The colour
all over is bright silver, spotted somewhat like a trout, a broad, well-
defined violet stripe extending along the entire body. This fish
takes live or spinning bait well, and when fishing for the same, very
strong gimp traces should alone be used.

* A specimen of this fish, caught in the Botletle River by Mr. Nicolls, is at present
in the British Museum, South Kensington. That eminent authority, Dr. A. Giinther,
declares it not to be a species of the Pike tribe. In addition to the localities mentioned,
it is also met with in other rivers of West-central Africa.

THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. 141

SALT-WATER FISH.
The Snook (Zhrysistes atum).

[Average weight about 8 lbs., resembling in appearance the
mackerel, its gtrth, however, being dzsproportionally small in com-
partson to tts length. General colour, dull silver, approaching
blutsh black along the back, scaleless ; mouth furnished with for-
midable teeth. |

Tus is the commonest and best known of the Cape salt-water fish,
and (particularly at certain periods of the year) throngs the waters
of Table Bay, but it may be found everywhere in the Cape seas,
where it is captured in enormous quantities by the Malay fishermen.
When salted and dried it forms a large item in the export trade ot
the Colony, and in this respect may be said to take the place of the
ling in the Southern seas. It is an exceedingly game fish, and when
hooked with the rod and line plays with great determination, spring-
ing repeatedly out of the water, and equalling the salmon in its
rushes, only giving in after making an exceedingly hard fight: The
tackle generally employed for the capture of the Snook by the Malays*
is‘a strong hand line, the hook being baited with an oblong piece of
shark skin about three inches in length, and trolled behind a boat
which is rowed at a sharp pace. A rather large-sized spoon bait,
with swivel and gimp tracing, will be found more deadly. As con-
tact with their poisonous teeth is dangerous, they should be killed
by blows from a stick before being drawn into the boat.

Tue following is a list of some of the fish most frequently met
with in the Cape Seas. They will take almost any sort of bait :—

The Steen Brass (Dentex rupestris).

[Some have been caught werghing up to 70 lbs. General colour,
variegated, clouded irregularly with ultramarine blue, oi green,
and lavender purple ; profile of head, irregular; a large bulge over
the eyes.|

* The Malays steep their lines in the blood of the ox, which is an excellent way of
rendering them waterproof for atime. The same method might safely be tried with
salmon and trout lines, in preference to many of the more complicated and perhaps less
effective formula used in England for such purposes.

142 THE SPORTSMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

The Hottentot Fish (Sargus hottentotus).

[Average weight, 3 or 4 lbs. Colour, silverish grey, distinguished
by five vertical broad greenish black bands on each side.)

The Kabbelgaauw (Sciena hololepidota).
[Attains a length of 3 feet. Colour, intensely variegated with
purple, green, blue, and yellow.)
The Cape Salmon ov Gheelbeek (Ovolithus wquidens).

[Attacns to 40 and 50 lbs. in weight. Colour, silvered green,
with strong yellowish tinge; lips and interior of mouth, orange
flesh coarse, but makes excellent pickle.| ‘

The Elf Fish (Lechia amia).

[Average weight, 7 or 8 lbs. Shape and appearance very much
like a salmon. Colour, bright silverish throughout, darker on the
back. Excellent eating.)

The Roman Fish (of the family of Sparoids).

[Have been caught up to 15 and 20 lbs. Colour, reddish gold.
Common in False Bay. A great luxury for the table.]

The King and Lesser Klip Fish.

May be caught in quantities from off the shore, and frequent rocks
overgrown with weeds. Both varieties, although small in size, are
considered the greatest delicacy obtainable in the Cape Seas. The
flesh of the Creef or Cray fish is generally used as bait for them.

INDEX.

Adanson’s Quail, 107

African Painted Snipe 130

Antbear, 25, 94

Antelope, Damaraland, 56

— Roan, 51

— Sable, 50

— Triangulated-horned, 56

Antelopes, 24

Antelopus roualeynei, 38

Ard Wolf, 92

Baboons, Chacma, 84

Barbel, 135

Basuto ponies, 18

Beasts of prey, 80

Bechuanaland Border Police
Hounds, 95

— close seasons of, 16

Berthon boat, 125

Biltong, 48

Birds, game, 97

— remarks on game, 97

Bird, Secretary, 99

Birds of prey, 18

Black-backed Jackal, 94

— bellied Khoorhan, 115

— Duck, 124

— Khoorhan, 115

— quilled Snipe, 130

— Rhinoceros, 62

— Wildebeest, 48

Blessbuck, 31

Bluebuck, 29

Blue Khoorhan, 118

— Wildebeest, 47

Bolting horses, 19

—_——_

Bontebuck, 32

Booted Lynx, 90

Brown Hyena, 92

— Red-necked Francolin, 102
Buffalo, Cape, 72
Burchell’s Zebra, 74
Burrowing Perch, 138
Bushbuck, 37

— Spotted, 38

Bush Khoorhan, 118

— Pig, 78

Bustard, Kori, 112

— Ludwig’s, 114

— Riippell’s, 119

— Stanley’s, 114

Button Quail, 108
Camel-thorn trees, 46
Cameras, suitable, 3

Cape Buffalo, 72

— Colony, close seasons of, 14
— Duck, 129

— Hare, 78

— Hunting Dog. 93

— Red-necked Francolin, 104
— Redwing, 100

— Salmon, 142

— Shoveller, 128

— Teal, 127

Caracal, 88

Cartridges, 98

Cart, water, 22

Cat Fish, 135

— Reed, 89

— South African Wild, 89
Cheetah, 86

144

INDEX.

Cheetah, Woolly, 87

Close Seasons, 97

Cockers, 98

Common Quail, 106

— Wild Guinea Fowl, 108
Coqui Francolin, 103
Coursing Club, Kimberley, 24
Crimson-billed Teal, 126
Crocodile, food of, 186

— method of catching, 136
Crowned Guinea Fowl, 108
Culper, 138 :
Damaraland Antelope, 56
Dikkop, Natal, 120
Dikkops, 120

Distances, determining, 21
Dog, Cape Hunting, 93
Dogs, Kaffir, 99

— suitable sporting, 82, 98
Double-banded Sand Grouse, 111
Duck, Black, 124

— Cape, 129

— Knob-billed, 123

— Maccoa, 125

— Masked, 126

— South African Shell, 129
— Spur-winged, 123
Duiker, 27

Dwarf Goose, 122

Eagle, Short-tailed, 99
Eland, 54

Elephant, 59

— hunting the, 60
Elephants, hints about, 60
Elf Fish, 142

Egyptian Goose, 122
Equipment, hints about, 1
Fish, 133

— Cat, 1385

— Elf, 142

— Fresh-water, 135

— Hottentot, 142

— King, 142

— large catches of, 136.
— Lesser Klip, 142.

— Mud, 137.

— Pike-like, 139.

Fish, Remarks on, 133.
— Roman, 142,

— Salt-water, 141

— Silver, 138

— Squeaker, 140

— Steen Brass, 141

— Yellow, 137
Fishermen, Malay, 141
Fly, tsetse, 17

Food of Crocodile, 136
Fowl, Guinea, 108

— Wild, 121

Fox, Long-eared, 96
Francolin, Brown Red-necked, 102
— Cape Red-necked, 104
— Coqui, 103

— Greywing, 101

— Natal, 105

— Noisy, 105

— Orange River, 101

— Pileated, 103

— Red-billed, 104

— Shelly’s, 106

Game Birds, remarks on, 97
— enemies to, 12

— hunting large, 17

— laws, 97

— laws, remarks on, 8
— preservation of, 8

— preserves, necessity for, 10
— trespassing for, 97
Gemsbuck, 49

Ghaum Paauw, 112
Gheelbeck Fish, 142
Giraffe, 69

— speed of, 71

— veracious stories about, 70
Golden “Partridge,” 112
Goose, Dwarf, 122

— Egyptian, 122

— Pigmy, 122

— Riippel’s, 122

— Spur-winged, 121
Great Snipe, 130
Greywing Francolin, 101
Grouse, Sand, 110
Grysbuck, 26

INDEX.

145

Guinea Fowl, 108

Guns, suitable, 4

— Common Wild, 108

— Crowned, 108

— Pucheran’s, 109

— Verreaux’s, 109

— Zambesi, 109

Hare, Cape, 78

— Jackal, 96

— Mountain, 79

— Rock, 79

— Thick-tailed, 79

Hares, Spring, 86

Harlequin Quail, 107

Harnessed Bushbuck, 38

Harrisbuck, 51

Hartebeest, 45

— Lichtenstein, 46

Heads, skinning, 7

Hemipode, Kurrichane, 107

— South African, 107

Hints about Elephants, 60

— about equipments, 1

Hippopotamus, 65

— cooking head of, 68

Hog, River, 78

Hog, Wart, 77

Horns, age of, 24

Horse sickness, 17

— salted, 18

— symptoms of, 18

— the shooting, 17

— watering, 22

Hottentot Fish, 142

Hounds, Bechuanaland Border
Police, 95

— Kimberley, 96

— Wynberg, 96

Hottentot Teal, 128

Hunting Dog, 93

— of large game, 17

Hyena, Brown, 92

— Spotted, 90

— Striped, 92

Hyenas, bait for, 91

Inyala, 39

Jackal, Black-backed, 94

Jackal, Hare, 96

— Mona, 92

— Motcluse, 96

— Silver, 95

Kaffir Dogs, 99
Kabbelgaauw Fish, 142
Khama, 53

Khoorhan, Black, 115
— Black-bellied, 115

— Blue, 118

— Bush, 118

— Senegal, 119

— Vaal, 117

— White-quilled, 117
Kimberley Coursing Club, 24
— Hounds, 96

King Fish, 142

Klip Fish, Lesser, 142
Klipspringer, 26
Knob-billed Duck, 123
Koodoo, 52

Kori Bustard, 112
Kurrichane Hemipode, 107
Large game, huntin , 17
Laws, game, 97

Lechwe, 42

Leopard, 84

“ Lesser’ Reedbuck, 35
Lichtenstein Hartebeest, 46
Lion, 80

— hunting the, 83

Lions, bravery of fictional, 81
— how they kill their prey, 82

— varying colours of, 80
Lobengula, 63
Long-eared Fox, 96
Lynx, Booted, 90

— Red, 88

Ludwig’s Bustard, 114
Maccoa Duck, 125
Masked Duck, 126
Malay Fishermen, 141
Marking specimens, 23

Medicines, inordinate use of, 7

Mona Jackal, 92
Mopani bush, 55
Moremi’s Town, 67

146

INDEX.

Motcluse Jackal, 96
Mountain Hare, 79

Mud Fish, 187

Nakong, 40

Namaqua ‘“ Partridge,” 110
— “Pheasant,” 105

— Sand Grouse, 110
Nagor, 35

Natal Dikop, 120

— Francolin, 105

— Redbuck, 28

Noisy Francolin, 105
Orange River Francolin, 101
Oribi, 25

Ostrich, Southern, 131
Other Game, 59

Oxen, Watering, 22

— purchasing trek, 6
Paauw, Ghaum, 112

Pala, 41

“ Partridge,’ Golden, 112
— Namaqua, 110

— Silver, 104

Perch, Burrowing, 138

“ Pheasant,’’ Common, 105
— Namaqua, 105

Pig, Bush, 78

Pike-like Fish, 139
Pileated Francolin, 103
Pochard, South African, 129
Pointers, 98

Ponies, Basuto, 18

Pookoo, 48

Predatory birds, list of, 13
Preservation of game, 8
Preserves, necessity for game, 10
Prey, beasts of, 80
Pucheran’s Guinea Fowl, 109
Purgative medicines, 7
Quagga, 76

Quail, 106

— Adanson’s Quail, 107

— Button, 108

— Common, 106

— Harlequin, 107
Red-billed Francolin, 104
Redbuck, Natal, 28

Red Lynx, 88

Redwing, Cape, 100
Reedbuck, 36

— “Lesser,” 85

Reed Cat, 89

Remarks on game birds, 97
— on game laws, 8

— on the shooting horse, 17
Rhébuck, 33

— Red, 34

Rhinoceros Bird, 64

— Black, 62

— White, 64

Rifles, suitable, 4

River Hog, 78

Roan Antelope, 51
Rock Hare, 79

Roman Fish, 142
Running Game, shooting, 22
Riippel’s Bustard, 119
— Goose, 122

Sable Antelope, 50
Salmon, Cape, 142
Salted Horses, 18
Salt-water Fish, 141
Sand Grouse, 110

— Double-banded, 111
— Namaqua, 110

— Variegated, 111

— Yellow-throated, 112
Secretary Bird, 99
Senegal Khoorhan, 119
Serval, 87

Setters, 98

Shelley’s Francolin, 106

Shell Duck, South African, 129

Shooting horse, 17
— running game, 22
Short-tailed Eagle, 99
Shoveller, Cape, 128
Sickness, horse, 17
Silver Jackal, 95

— Fish, 138

— “Partridge,” 104
Sitatunga, 40
Sjamboks, 68
Skerms, 81

INDEX.

147

Skinning heads, 7

Snipe, African Painted, 180
— Black-quilled, 130

— Great, 180

Snook, 141

Southern Ostrich, 131

South African Hemipode, 107
Specimens, marking, 23
Spooring, 21

Sporting dogs, suitable, 82-98
Spotted Bushbuck, 38

— Hyena, 90

Springbuck, 29

Spring Hares, 86
Spur-winged Duck, 123

— Goose, 121

Squeaker Fish, 140

— Tiger, 140

Stanley’s Bustard, 114
Steinbuck, 24

Striped Hyena, 92

Steen Brass Fish, 141

Teal, Cape, 127

— Crimson-billed, 126

— Hottentot, 128

— Yellow-billed, 127

Thick knee, South African, 120
— Vermiculated, 121
Thick-tailed Hare, 79
Transvaal, close seasons of, 16
Trek oxen, purchasing, 6
Trespassing, 97

Triangulated-horned Antelope, 56

Trophies, preservation of, 6
Tsessebe, 33

Tsetse fly, 17, 73

Vaal Khoorhan, 117
Variegated Sand Grouse, 111
Verreaux’s Guinea Fowl, 109
Voorslag, 54

Wart Hog, 77

Waterbuck, 44

Water Cart, 22

Watering Horses, 22

— Oxen, 22

Water-melon, Wild, 49
White-quilled Khoorhan, 117
— Rhinoceros, 64

Widgeon, White-backed, 124
— Yellow-necked, 124

‘Wild Cat, 89

Wildebeest, 48

— Blue, 47

Wild Fowl, 121

Wolf, Ard, 92

Woolly Cheetah, 87

Wynberg Hounds, 96
Yellow-billed Teal, 127

— necked Widgeon, 124

— throated Sand Grouse, 112
Yellow Fish,187
Zambesi Guinea Fowl, 109
Zebra, Burchell’s, 74

— Common, 74

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Post and Telegraph Office on the Hotel Premises,
Tram Terminus, and Cab Stand.

Proprietor = = = W.T. O’CALLAGHAN.

G. E. LEWIS’S
Guns and Rifles.

THE
‘“GUN OF THE PERIOD.”

REGISTERED TRADE M_ K.

HONOURS:

Paris, 1878, Sydney, 1879-80, Melbourne, 1880-8,
Calcutta, 1884.
This Gun is made with Top Lever Triple Grip Action, at 18 to 30
Guineas, with Steel or Damascus Barrels.

1892 Edition of Illustrated Catalogue Now Ready. The largest,
best, and cheapest stock of Sporting Guns and Rifles in the
Empire. 1s. per registered post.

THE
“GUN OF THE PERIOD.”

REGISTERED TRADE MARK.

G.E. Lewis’s Top Lever Treble-Grip, with
Hammers below the line of sight.
We make a Double-Grip
Action Lever on Guard Cape
Gun at 12, 15, and 20 Gs.
M. L. Capes from 5 Guineas
Any Gun delivered at any
port for 21s. This includes Lg ;
tin-lined box, freight, and =.
insurance. ESTABLISHED 1850.

Weirecommend and make these guns with 26.or 28 inchibarrels, but they can be made 30 inches long
if required, which adds a little extra to the weight of gun. Our experience is in favour of Schultze or
E.C. powder in these light guns.

- G. E. Lewisiis now making a 12-bore gun of full strength, with his top lever treble grip action and
solid bar body, from 5lbs. weight, in which full charges of E.C., Schultze, or other powders may be used
without recoil. Price, with hammers, from 15 Guineas; Anson and Deeley hammerless, from 20
Guineas. We also make an “ Ariel” gun as above, with top lever, Purdey double bolt, from 42 Gs.

WORKS:

32 and 33 Lower Loveday St., Birmingham,

T. BURBERRY & SONS,

PATENTEES OF

GABARDINE COMBINATIONS,

CONSISTING OF

OUTSIDE
“A Linen, light, strong, and cool.”"—

6 Land and Water.
“Tt keeps out wet in an exceptional
way.’—Sporting & Dramatic News.
“The merits of this Material are

now widely known.” —The Field,
INSIDE

OF THE LIGHTEST POSSIBLE TEX-
TURE, OR HEAVIER ACCORDING TO
wee THE TEMPERATURE FOR WHICH THE
GARMENT IS REQUIRED.

Both these materials are Rainproofed by dis-
tinct processes, and, used jointly, form patent

combinations which are
Pr 0 of The Heaviest Rains,

Mildew and Tropical Insects,
Yet Naturally Ventilating.

- The Stoutest Thorns,
' is made in four
Gabardine separate weights, viz:—

AGAINST

FROPICAL kwsrnccr

S U M E Rarnproor, AND CaraBLe or REsIST-
ING ANY ORDINARY THORNS,

A U I U M N Rarnproor, AND SUPERIOR TO ANY
OTHER MATERIAL FOR PROTECTION
FROM ALL KINDS oF BusH THORNS.

W ] N j E R Wait-a-BiT THorns, or SPEAR GRass,

Unlined GABARDINE will turn a heavy
shower in either of the above weights,

but in Combination Garments are practi-
cally Waterproof.

TESTIMONIAL.
Gloucester, December 12th, 1890,
lj ) Enclosed is your account with cheyue for amount, I cannot send
this without expressing the very great satisfaction your Patent Gabar-
dine Suit has given me. It is at once the strongest, warmest, and
t y coolest material for its weight I have ever come across. It never feels
I chilly when put on, never mind how hot I have been in it the day
\ || before, or how much the outside got wet. I have been through the
\', wettest turnips, through all the heavy showers, &c., and not once has
i wh there been even a suspicion of damp coming through, It is out and
out the most comfortable shooting material I have ever worn.
B. St, J. Acuers,
ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES, PATTERNS, & Futy ParticuLtars—BASINGSTOKE.

SHow anp Fitting Rooms—30 HAYMARKET, LONDON, S.W.

SEE OVER]

T. BURBERRY & SONS,

PATENTEES OF

GABARDINE COMBINATIONS,
SPORTSMAN’S STOCKINGS, &c.

For EXTREME HEAT GABARDINE is UNSURPASSED.

Wait-a-bit Thorns, Spear Grass, and the thickest bush have no effect on it.
It turns rain like Tent Cloth.

Is naturally ventilating, exceedingly light, cool, and comfortable.

Turns hot or cold winds.

Is indestructible and untearable.

Mildew and tropical insects do not affect it.

Worn by Sportsmen of tried standing in India, and pronounced
superior to any other material for the Plains or the Mountains.

In use in Her Majesty’s Government in the Forest Department of Africa.
GABARDINE COMBINATIONS.

PATENT.
AIRYLIGHT ANGLING SUITS, Riding Pants, 35/- 42/-&c.
Corea e Pots Riding Coats, 42/- 52/6 &c.
8, 42/- 52/0 63/- CAPES for Shooting,
Knicker Breeches, Fishing, Golfing, &c.
taps (any shape), 7/6 30/, 35/, &e.
UNLINED GABARDINE.
Coats, 30/- ney eed 35/-
Knickerbockers, 21/- iding Pants, 25/-
Knickerbreeches, 25/- baa
Capes, 21/-, 25/-, &e., Spats, 7/6 per pair.
according to length. Gaiters. 7/6 per pair
RAINPROOFED
TESTIMONIALS, Covert Coatings & Saddle Tweeds.
CANADA. Covert Coats, 35/- 42/- &c.
The Senate, Ottawa. Paletots, 63/- 73/6 &c.
* The material is superior to anything in the Riding Pants, 35/- & 42/-
way of linen I have ever been able to get on ;
this side of the water.” LGALC, RAINPROOFED
QUEENSLAND. Harris, Shetland & Homespun Tweeds.

“Darling Downs.
“The garments have given us the atacee

For Shooting, Fishin
satisfaction ; they are perfect.” St Bo

Golfing, etc.
INDIA. Coats, 42/- 52/6 63/-
vet the kind of stuff for shooting in India Vests, 10/6 15/6 21/-

. the thick for cold weather and moun- ‘
tain ae ihe light for sport on the plains, Knickerbreeches,
W. BORN, Major-General M.S.C. 30/- 35/- 42/-

sto mnsaitts and Tweeds Rainproofed by a New and Permanent
Electrical Process.

Ladies’ Gabardine
a a0) HAY MARKER, Combination.
FITTING ROOMS, LONDON, 8.W. tage Ta te

Skirts, 30/- 42/- &.

PaTTERNS, MEASURE Forms Spats, Gaiters, 7/6 & 10/-
: . BASINGSTOKE, “ss tenors

& ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES, H and Tweeds same prices,

BRECKNELL’S (i235)
MEDAL
USED IN
THE ROYAL STABLES;
BY HER MAJESTY’S Ss A D D L E.
CAVALRY, AND
ALL FOREIGN ARMIES.

“You can use nothing better.’’—The Field. Ss O A P LJ

“Your Soap is the. best I have seen.” —RicHpD Owen, Captain. :
A.D.C. to H.E. the Commander-in-Chief in India.

Brecknell, Turner, & Sons, Haymarket, London.
To Her Majesty.

COGSWELL_ & HARRISON.

J* drawing attention to the following Rifles and Guns, specially constructed for Foreign Sport

C. & H. would point out the unique advantages they possess in their Harrow Factory for the
careful execution of all orders, which may be inspected at any stage during the process of
manufacture, not omitting the Shooting powers that can be tested on their ranges—the most
replete in the kingdom.

EXPRESS RIFLES. Prices.

Hammer or Hammerless, Top
Lever, Triple-Grip, Safety Bolt,

Regulation Charge for Light Charge for. Non-Fouling, Accuracy of highest
Bore. C. & H.'s Express Rifles, C. & H.'s Express Rifles. -degree, to shoot C. & H.'s
Regulation or Light Charges,
Powder. Bullet. Powder. Bullet. Cash. Credit.
400 daiscenis TIO grs. 230 QTS. we... 83ers. 230 QTS. eee £25 10 £30 0
AGO: —saxteoie TIO. 5 | BOG ay weadeeens PTO) gy FOr. Gir eeeswmnsn £35 14 £42 0
BOO Satan 138 4p 44O yy, aewsuinens 120) 4, “BAO! gy. Gaeaiiccss £42 10 £50 0
SOT Souse wnt TOS. 5. (BOGE sy) snssacuee TOO! ip 520° 4, axceeaoee £51 O £60 0

Solid drawn Cartridge Cases.

The Regulation Charges for C. & H.’s Express Rifles give greatly increased energy beyond those of the
Light Charges, the striking force at 100 yards being augmented in some cases to over 20 per cent.

Plain quality Express Rifle, Lever Over-Guard Action, Coiled Brass Cartridge Cases, for Light Charges
one £21 6s. Cash, £25 Credit.

enerally speaking, these Light Charges ONLY are used by many makers in a// gualities of Rifles.

Magnum or extra powerful Express Rifles to order.

Sir Robert Harvey states: “I have used 8 bore, 577, and 450 bore Express Hammerless Rifles made
for me by Messrs. Cogswell & Harrison, in India, Siam, Africa, &. They have given me every satisfac-
tion, and I hope the 4-bore Rifle now being built for me will be equally successful. My friends to whom
I have recommended them have, I believe, been equally well pleased.”

LARGE BORE RIFLES.
Shooting Large Charges of Powder, from £25 10s. Cash, £30 Credit.

COLLECTORS’ GUNS.
Guns Specially made for Shot and Ball Shooting.

COGSWELL & HARRISON, 142 New Bond St., & 226 Strand, London.
FACTORY :—HARROW.

MEAGHER’S IMPROVED PORTABLE CAMERA

(LONG FOCUS).
Light, Portable, Rigid. Highest Awards Wherever Exhibited.

Prices for Cameras with Single Swing Back, Reversing Frame, and Three Double Dark
Slides, 64 by 43, £8 16s.; 84 by 64, £11; 10 by 8, £13 5s. Double Swing Back, from 15s.
extra. Brass Binding from 28s. extra.

“The cameras you have already sent me are in constant use, but still look, and are, as good as ever.’—Extract of Letter
From M. VY. Portman, Esq., Port Blair, Andamans Islands, India, Fanuary 25th, 1892.
a FOR LARGER SIZES SEE CATALOGUE.
TEN PER CENT. DISCOUNT FOR CASH WITH ORDER. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES PoST FREE.

21 SOUTHAMPTON ROW, HIGH HOLBORN, W.C.

Shooting Trips Into the Interior.

JAMES LAWRENCE & C0,

the KIMBERLEY AGENTS of the
BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA CO.,
beg to announce that they
Undertake THE FITTING OUT of
SHOOTING EXPEDITIONS to
MASHONALAND and other Interior
places on the most Favourable Terms.

Thorough knowledge of the requtre-

ments from personal experience.

ENTIRE SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

Telegraphic and Cable Address : Postal Address :
““LAWRENCE,”’ Kimberley. Box 301, Kimberley,

South Africa.

BOZARD & GO.,

Gun & Rifle Manufacturers & Professional Gun Fitters.

Inventors of the Bendometer (Patent) ‘ Anti-Friction Cartridges,’ ‘‘ Water Force
Gauge,” ‘‘ Hammerless Ejector Gun” and ‘‘ Central Vision Guns.”

SPECIALTIES:

“THE QUEECH” (Registered) BALL and SHOT GUN.

Shooting elongated, conical, express or solid bullets with the accuracy of an
express rifle, and shot with the pattern and penetration of a first class shot gun.

Price, with Hammers, from £20 to £35; Hammerless, £25 to £40, and Single
Barrels from £12, Twelve or Sixteen Bores.

THE “ZEPHYR” LIGHT GUNS.
12 Bores: weight from 61bs. ; made in 12, 16, 20 and 28 Bores. Specially suited
for hot climates.

Prices, Hammerless, from £28 10s. to £40 each ; with Hammer, from £20 to £35 cash

THE “SIMPbISSIMUS” EJECTOR,

The most reliable and simple Ejector in the market.
Intercepting Safety Locks, Prices from £25 10s. to £40. Special Quality, 17 Guineas.
SPECIAL LIST FOR CHEAPER GUNS ON APPLICATION.

33 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON, W.

PATRONISED BY

His Imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexander of Russia and Suite, The
Right Hon. Lord Randolph Churchill, Major Giles, Sir Wm. Ramsay
Fairfax, Bart., &¢., &¢., &c.

POOLE’S HOTEL,
NEW STREET, CAPE TOWN.

YProprietor = B. BRISCOE, late R.N.
Telegraphic Code Address: ‘“‘ POOLH’S, Cape Town.”

Excellent Cuisine. English and French Suites of Apartments.
Every Home Comfort.

Sportsmen visiting South Africa, by writing to the Proprietor in advance,
can arrange for Shooting in the neighbourhood during the Season,
January to June.

HUNTING.

TRABE

BY SPECIAL APPOI NTMENT

HER MAJESTY THE aie

H.R.H. THE PRINGE OF WALES.

H.I. & R.M. THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA.
H.M. THE KING OF SPAIN, &c.

Hammond & Co.

(Established nearly a Century),

BREEGHES & TROUSERS MAKERS,
MILITARY & SPORTING TAILORS

465 OXFORD ST.

Branch Establishments at :

BRUSSELS - - 41 BOULEVARD DE WATERLOO.
PARIS - - - - 8 PLACE VENDOME.

Telegraphic address :
BREECHES, LONDON.

SESS
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