CAPE BUFFALO 261 
CAPE BUFFALO (Bos caffer). 
When Mr. Rhodes’ pioneers entered Mashonaland in 1890, and 
found an outlet to the then unexplored and all but unknown region 
between Umtali and the east coast at Beira, it was discovered that one 
of the best pieces of buffalo country in all Africa lay there virgin and 
undisturbed. Along the Pungwe River vast herds of buffalo roamed, 
as they had roamed for ages, untroubled by the sound of the rifle. 
Since 1890 a good deal of shooting has been done in this region, but 
between Beira and the mouths of the Zambesi buffalo are still to be 
found in great plenty. The country is, however, feverish and unhealthy, 
and should not be entered except between the end of May and 
November. In other parts of South Africa the buffalo is now con- 
spicuous by its absence, except on the Cunene, Okavango, Chobe, and 
Zambesi rivers. On the Upper Zambesi, and thence towards the 
Central Lake regions, these animals are very abundant. In Cape 
Colony a few protected herds still find shelter in the dense jungle of 
the Addo Bush, the Knysna and Zitzikamma Forests, and the Fish 
and Sunday’s River thickets. The rinderpest has played sad havoc 
with the herds of East Africa and Nyassaland. The buffalo has 
acquired the reputation—undoubtedly a well-deserved one—of being 
one of the most dangerous of all beasts of chase to follow when wounded. 
HEIGHT at shoulder, 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches. 
Do. fe ceount Melice: Scheibler): 
Distribution—Portuguese East Africa (Pungwe River District), parts of 
Mashonaland, Matabeleland ; swamps of Okavango, Nyassaland, 
British and German East Africa, now rather rare. 
