The Quagga is smaller than the Zebra, and resembles the Horse in general
shape. His head is small, and his ears are short. The color of head,
neck and shoulders is a dark brown, verging on black. The tail is
terminated by a tuft of long hair. It is a native of the plateaux of
Caffraria, and feeds on grasses and shrubs, and lives in droves with the
Zebra.
It is tamed without difficulty. The Dutch colonists were in the habit of
keeping them with their herds, which they defended against the Hyenas.
If one of these formidable carnivora threatened to attack the Cattle,
the domesticated Quagga would attack and beat down the enemy with its
fore-hoofs, trampling it to death.
The geographical range of the Quagga does not appear to extend to the
northward of the river Vaal. The animal was formerly extremely common
within the colony, but vanishing before the strides of civilization, is
now to be found there in very limited numbers, and on the borders only.
Beyond, on those sultry plains which are completely taken possession of
by wild beasts, and may with strict propriety be termed the domains of
savage nature, it occurs in interminable herds. Moving slowly across the
profile of the ocean-like horizon, uttering a shrill barking neigh, of
which its name forms a correct limitation, long files of Quaggas
continually remind the early traveler of a rival caravan on its march.
Bands of many hundreds are thus frequently seen during their migration
from the dreary and desolate plains of some portion of the interior
which has formed their secluded abode, seeking for more luxuriant
pastures where, during the summer months, various herbs and grasses
thrive.