THE BIG GAME OF AFRICA 



skin is always thickest on the sides, over the shoulders, and 

 on the back of the powerful neck. It is rather remarkable 

 that, in spite of the great thickness of the rhino's skin, it 

 should be possible for parasites to live and feed on these 

 great pachyderms, some of which are literally covered 

 with these giant ticks. They seem to be able to find cracks 

 and soft places in the heavy skin, through which they are 

 able to suck the animal's blood, and in such places they con- 

 gregate in great masses, sometimes causing bad ulcera- 

 tions and sores. 



In such circumstances it is a blessing to the rhinos that 

 the so-called " tick bird " exists. This is a brownish-look- 

 ing little bird with a strong, straight bill, which always 

 seems to follow the rhino both in the bush and in the open 

 country. These wary little friends not only serve the rhi- 

 noceros as " tick-eaters," but also warn him of any ap- 

 proaching danger. Many a time I have stalked a rhino 

 with my camera under the most favorable conditions, and 

 I would have been able to come within a few feet of the 

 powerful beast without attracting his attention, had it not 

 been for the little tick bird, which with its shrill " pt-jaeh, 

 pt-jaeh," warned the rhino of the approaching hunter, 

 and, to my disgust, the coveted trophy would either run 

 away or make a vicious charge. 



It must be said, however, to the credit of the tick bird, 

 that it is sometimes useful also to the hunter. For in dense 

 bush the sportsman would often not be able to see the 

 rhino, until almost right upon him, if the tick bird with its 

 " pt-jaeh " did not warn the hunter of the proximity of this 

 dangerous beast. One morning when I was encamped 

 with a large caravan not far from the junction of the 



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