THE BLACK RHINOCEROS 



Rhinoceros Birds on it, he knows he must proceed 

 to stalk the beast with the utmost caution. After a 

 long and tedious stalk, the hunter is frequently 

 detected by the birds, which at once give the alarm 

 to their host. Should no birds be present, the 

 hunter stalks the animal more rapidly, knowing 

 that so long as he keeps on the proper side of the 

 wind, and takes reasonable care not to expose him- 

 self, he will almost to a certainty get within easy 

 shooting distance. 



When disturbed, the Black Rhinoceros moves off 

 with its head well elevated, and if a cow has a calf 

 with her, it follows its parent instead of preceding it. 



The White Rhinoceros, on the contrary, makes 

 away with its head held low, and when a calf is 

 present it always precedes the mother. 



The Black Rhinoceros also differs from its meek 

 and inoffensive relative in its temper, which is 

 morose, irritable and uncertain. When wounded it 

 frequently charges down upon its persecutor, but if 

 he is able to get out of the way in time, it usually, 

 but not invariably, passes straight on, and does not 

 turn to seek him out. It has been known to charge 

 without provocation through a team of oxen, 

 donkeys, or a camp, meanwhile lunging right and 

 left most viciously with its horn. 



The eyesight of the Rhino is bad, otherwise it 

 would prove a most dangerous antagonist. When 

 wounded it will often charge blindly in the direction 

 of the sound of the rifle. 



217 



