loo Oxen 



other hand, Messrs. Nicolls and Eghngton state that the reputation of the 

 animal tor ferocity has been much exaggerated, and that wlien disturbed 

 it generally prefers to seek safety in flight rather than to initiate an attack. 

 They admit, however, that on occasions a bull that has not previously been 

 wounded will make an unprovoked charge, even in the open ; and they 

 are in accord with other writers as to the danger of following a wounded 

 bull in thick covert. Mr. Jackson mentions the extreme caution always 

 necessary in buffalo-shooting, and recommends the sportsman to get within 

 such a distance as to ensure killing or disabling his quarry at the first shot. 

 A buffalo when charging rushes forward with its muzzle held nearly 

 straight out and its forehead almost horizontal ; and even w^hen within 

 striking distance the head is not lowered, but turned to one side, and the 

 foe knocked down or gored by a sideway sweep of the massive horns. 

 This attitude is shown in the central figure in the well-known illustration 

 in Livingstone's Missionary Travels, although a second individual in the 

 same plate is depicted with the head lowered ; and in all the animals 

 the tail is represented as elevated instead of held straight out. 



Like the rhinoceroses, buffaloes are frequently attended by the so-called 

 rhinoceros-birds and egrets, which perch on their broad backs for the 

 purpose of feeding on the insects swarming around them ; and when thus 

 attended they are much more difficult of approach than when alone. 

 Buffilo are seldom if ever found far away from water, and they are in the 

 habit of refreshing themselves with a bath both before and after grazing. 

 The calves, of which but one is produced at a birth, are born in the 

 summer months from January to March ; and for the first few days after 

 their appearance in the world are securely hidden among tall grass by the 

 cows, who at such times separate themselves from the herds to remain in 

 the neighbourhood of their offspring and attend to their periodical wants. 

 During the pairing season frequent fights take place among the old bulls. 

 Next to man, the greatest foe of the buffalo is the lion ; and although a 



