THE AFRICAN BUFFALO 



For a period of ten days after birth, the calf is 

 carefully hidden by the mother in the long rank 

 grass, and she remains in the near neighbourhood 

 and visits her little one at frequent intervals. She 

 then joins the herd with her calf. 



In localities where they have not been hunted, 

 Buffaloes are unsuspicious and easy to approach, 

 and, indeed, will often stand and gaze at a man, or 

 even advance in his direction to get a better view 

 should he intrude into their haunts. 



When persecuted, however, they become exceed- 

 ingly wary and suspicious, and make off in the 

 wildest alarm on sight of a man. 



Much has been said and written about thelierceness 

 of Buffalo bulls, and the danger of Buffalo hunting. 

 In the game reserves, where these animals are not 

 persecuted, they do not show the slightest disposition 

 to attack a man intruding into their haunts, although 

 they often stand at a distance and gaze curiously 

 at him. 



In the Addo Bush, in the district of Uitenhage, 

 there is a fairly large number of Buffaloes. Although 

 they generally disappear instantly into the tangled, 

 thorny bush on sight or scent of a man, yet they 

 have occasionally made unprovoked attacks on men 

 who had entered the bush in quest of Elephants. 

 On one occasion a farmer happened on a herd of 

 fifteen in a large forest glade. The cows made off, 

 but the herd bull with a snort of rage charged 

 headlong at him. He fired, and it fell and began 



VOL. Ill 145 10 



