With Flashlight and Rifle ^ 



feed exclusively on grass. Unlike the 'Gi"^nt's bucks, the 

 bucks of Thomson's gazelle are sometimes found alone. 

 They have, as a rule, very strong and long antlers, the 

 points of which are sometimes very close together, and 

 never curved far apart, as is the case with many Grant's 

 o-azelles. It is very noticeable that the female Thomson's 

 gazelles — almost without exception — have crooked and 

 ill-formed horns. One frequently comes across striking 

 malformations. I have never found deformities among 

 the horns of bucks. When these gazelles are taking to 

 flight they carry themselves in a very stift^ and straight 

 manner. When in full flight, however, like the harte- 

 beests. they keep the head low down, so that the whole 

 body of the animal seems flat and outstretched. When 

 trotting they hold their heads somewhat higher, this being 

 true especially of the bucks. 



One often sees Thomson's gazelles feeding contentedly 

 among the herds of cows, and still more among the herds 

 of goats belonging to the Masai. All kinds of game are 

 confiding with the Masai people, who never consume 

 the flesh of wild animals. 



Sometimes I found bucks fighting so intently that 

 I could almost touch them with my hands. These little 

 gazelles have a peculiar characteristic that I have never 

 seen mentioned by other authors. Wherever and when- 

 ever one may happen to sight them, they whisk their tails 

 violently backwards and forwards, especially when they 

 become suspicious of any one approaching them, or when 

 they take to flight They can always be recognised by 



this whisking of the tail. 



,20 



