MY SOMALI BOOK 29 



in which the chita differs in appearance from his 

 bolder and fiercer cousin. 



It was very cold in camp that night, likewise when 

 loading up again at dawn, which was hardly surprising 

 seeing that the month w^as January and our elevation 

 was over 4000 feet. 



Continuing our southward way I shot my first 

 clhero, of the plateau variety {Gazella Spekei), after a 

 long stalk. This handsome little gazelle is very like 

 the Indian cJiinhara in habits and appearance. He 

 differs mainly in the darker median band, the different 

 face-markings which show more black and white, and 

 the possession above the nose of a peculiar patch of 

 loose skin, wiiich is often inflated, forming a quaint 

 protuberance. The horns are much like the Indian 

 gazelle's, but, on the average, shorter, at least in the 

 buck. And, like the chinJcara again, the little black 

 tail is never still. 



T\yiiikle, twinkle, little tail. 

 Does your ardour never fail ? 

 How I wonder why you may 

 Never rest the Uve-long day ! 



The day's march of 27 miles ended at a zariba in 

 the thick khansa (umbrella thorn) jungle, south of a 

 place called Dafaroo. Here we found Kabarah, who 

 had been sent on ahead prospecting. He reported 

 khabar of leopard, oryx, and lesser kudu. We had 

 had glimpses of oryx and gercnuk on the road shortly 

 before halting, and, on the whole, thought^ it might be 

 worth while staying at this spot for a day. 



Out in the morning early, Ave found numerous 

 tracks of oryx ('' arragis,'' as Elmi j)ronounced it), and 



