With Flashlight and Rifle ^ 



and well nourished. My photoj^Taphs have helped to 

 prove this lact. 



Giraffes do not dwell exclusively on the plains. At 

 certain seasons of the year they find a refuge in the 

 mountain woods, u|) to a height of 7,000 feet. This 

 generally happens at the beginning of the drought. They 

 do not, however, frequent the primeval forests. 



One of my niost interesting photographs is undoubtedly 

 that of an old giraffe l)ull, in company with two aged male 

 elephants. For weeks I observed this trio in the forests 

 of the west Kilimanjaro district, anxious for the moment 

 when a ray of sunlight would enable me to take a snapshot. 

 But the usual rain-clouds of this period — I am speaking 

 of the nionth of June — prevents the sun's rays from 

 reachinof the west side of the mountains. Onlv at night 

 time do they disappear ; early in the morning they are 

 always hanging over the mountainous district. 



After a lone wait in the: cold mist-like rain, and 

 without a fire. I was at last rewarded by a few minutes 

 of sunshine. This enabled me to take several snapshots, 

 but only from a distance of at least 400 paces. Of course 

 it was necessary to seize the opportunit\- just at the 

 monuMit wlien both the ele|)hants and the girafte were 

 visii)le amonof the high vegetation. At anv moment the 

 clouds might return and the sun disappear. 



Other giraffes also had at this time found a halting- 

 o-round in the thick and luxurious growth ol the forest, 

 l^hese herds would often remain ior hours in close 

 proximity to the- ele})hcUits. The thrc; animals in (|ucsiion 

 chose out a i)lace whcn'e the grass had grown so tall 



-i 12 



