NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



distance away, and sometimes impresses the hunter 

 so profoundly that his conscience troubles him for 

 a long time after. 



Buffaloes are good runners, and when seeking 

 fresh pastures or to escape from enemies they 

 readily take to water. They swim with only the 

 eyes, nostrils, a part of the horns and a small portion 

 of the hindquarters visible above the surface of the 

 water. 



Buffaloes are, as a rule, silent animals, and when 

 feeding or roaming about, the only sound heard is 

 an occasional short, low grunt. However, when 

 attacked by lions, the Buffalo usually bellows like 

 a frightened ox. The calf, too, when seeking its 

 mother, cries after the manner of a domestic calf. 



When charging, a Buffalo does not lower its head, 

 but keeps its nose thrust forward and the horns 

 directed backwards. On reaching the object of its 

 attack, it makes a vicious side thrust with its horns 

 and a sudden twist of the head, endeavouring to 

 impale its foe. 



The Lion is the only foe the adult Buffalo fears, 

 and even this formidable beast is sometimes driven 

 off and even slain by the bulls. 



There are two distinct types of African Buffaloes, 

 viz. the large African or Cape Buffalo {Bos caffer 

 typicus) and the dwarf or Congo sub-species or 

 variety {Bos caffer nanus). Intermediate between 

 these two there are several local races inhabiting 

 Africa north of the Zambesi. 



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