BUFFALOES 407 



had what was for their purposes a nearly vacant continent 

 to conquer by dint of their reproductive power. Except 

 where civihzed man has been present, and in spite of the 

 presence of the native foes of the buffalo, this reconquest 

 has been largely achieved. 



This fact shows that this animal, at least, can more than 

 hold its own as far as its brute enemies are concerned, and, 

 where the climatic conditions do not forbid, will populate 

 to near the limit of its food supply. Buffaloes are now com- 

 mon beasts in East Africa and abundant in Uganda. The 

 wise policy of the British Government in protecting all the 

 big game has aided in this recovery. 



The buffalo of the White Nile belongs to the Abyssinian 

 species, or subspecies; while the East African buffalo is 

 closely allied to the Cape animal. But there is no differ- 

 ence in habits between the two races, although within the 

 limits of the same species there are marked differences be- 

 tween the behavior of the herds in one region and of the 

 herds in another. 



Buffaloes are grazers and are fond of water. They are 

 not beasts of the desert, and, unlike the giraffe, eland, and 

 oryx, they cannot exist in nearly waterless regions. They 

 are gregarious, going in herds of from a score to a couple of 

 hundred individuals; and in addition old bulls are found 

 singly or in small parties, while occasionally a herd will con- 

 sist of nothing but cows, calves, and young stock. Buffaloes 

 are hardy animals, and are found in varying and very dif- 

 ferent habitats within the limits of their general range. 

 Neither the zebra nor any of the antelopes can adapt them- 

 selves to such varying conditions, provided only that there 

 is no dearth of water. In places buffaloes live on or near the 



