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patches of blood mingled with bits of lung which the animal has 

 coughed up, and yet, after following the trail for miles, have had to 

 abandon the chase to my trackers." 



The cows usually calve between the beginning of September and 

 early in November, at all events in the countries south of the Zambesi. 



Writing of the eastern race, Mr. F. J. Jackson observes that 

 " single bulls are often seen quite alone and at other times associating 

 with antelopes and gazelles, particularly with Gazella granti. The 

 wildebeest is a lover of the rolling open plains ; but where not much 

 disturbed it is also found in thinly timbered country, and in such 

 localities is not difficult to approach within fair rifle-shot. On the open 

 plains stalking in the ordinary sense is almost out of the question, and 

 when these animals have been much shot at quite hopeless. In places 



Fig. 38. — British East African Gnus in the British East African Game Preserve, 

 photographed by Lord Delamere. 



where they are rarely disturbed they will, however, often stand and 

 allow the hunter to approach within 120 to 150 yards, provided he 

 does not walk straight for them, but pretends to walk past, gradually 

 sidling in nearer as he proceeds. 



"On my way down country in September 1898 I crossed the Athi 

 plains between Kikuyu and the river, which is a reserve in which all 

 shooting, except lions and other carnivora, is strictly prohibited. As I 

 walked along, wildebeest, Gazella granti, and G, tJiomsoni were on all 

 sides, and so close and confiding that they reminded me of Kilimanjaro 

 in the palmy days of 1887. Three ostriches even stood and looked at 

 me within 300 yards, and every creature seemed to know that it was 

 perfectly safe. Directly, however, I crossed the river, where shooting is 

 allowed, and where every one going up and down the road appeared 

 to have done his best to make up for lost time, the game (even the 



