1785G. Forstertr. ofA. Sparrman’s Voy. to Cape of G.H.II. 224The klipspringer has obtained the name it bears, from..its running with the greatest velocity, and making large bounds even on the steepest precipices and in the most rocky places.
1812A. Plumptretr. ofH. Lichtenstein’s Trav. in Sn Afr. (1928) I. 72At the very edge of the overhanging crags skipped the nimble antelope, called here the klippenspringer.
1835A. SteedmanWanderingsII. 10This peculiarity of structure in the hoof, and the rigid form of the pastern joints, account for the amazing agility which the klip-springer displays in bounding among the most dangerous rocks and precipices.
1862Lady Duff-Gordon inF. GaltonVacation Tourists (1864) III. 156The ‘klip springer’...Such a lovely little beast, as big as a small kid, with eyes and ears like a hare, and a nose so small and dainty.
1878T.J. LucasCamp Life & Sport 227The klip springer, a little antelope only found in rocky districts; which we find provided with a most perfect atmospheric apparatus in the hoof, which being pressed upon the smooth rocky surface, and being provided with a series of minute spongy cells, creates a temporary vacuum, and enables the antelope to maintain its footing.
1885Macmillan’s Mag. (U.K.) 24 Feb. 280The klip-springer, the little chamois that is so clever at eluding dogs and men.
1900W.L. SclaterMammals of S. Afr.I. 167The klipspringer...General colour speckled yellow and brown; hair very coarse..close lying and thick, forming a species of cushion all over the body of the animal.
1949J. MockfordGolden Land 226The tiny klipspringer..leaps nimbly from rock to rock on the slopes of the koppies.
1964G. CampbellOld Dusty 156We..had been watching two klipspringers jumping daintily from rock to rock along the kopje face, their pointed toes giving them a wonderful security on the sloping boulders.
1971J.A. BrownReturn 153Above them on a ledge were a pair of klipspringer, regarding them curiously; then whistling they leapt away.
1973Daily Dispatch 1 May 2Mr. Basson had changed his political affiliation so many times he was nothing but a political klipspringer.
1990J. HealeScowler’s Luck 67A klipspringer darted onto a pinnacle of rock, gazed at them and then disappeared on tiny hooves that seemed to float down the crags.
1992A. De Klerk inS. Afr. Panorama Mar.–Apr. 74Among the mammal inhabitants are klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), steenbok [etc.].
1994M. Robertstr. ofJ.A. Wahlberg’s Trav. Jrnls 1838–56 34The Klippspringer is said, when leaping down steep slopes, to assume an upright position, and to land on his hind legs.
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