90 4 THE UNGULATES, OR HOOFED MAMMALS 



riding hard to obtain a shot at a herd in front of him, other herds are charging down 

 wind on his right and left, and, having described a number of circular movements, 

 they take up positions upon the very ground across which he rode only a few min- 

 utes before. Singly, and in small troops of four or five individuals, the old bull 

 wildebeests may be seen stationed at intervals throughout the plains, standing mo- 

 tionless during a whole forenoon, coolly watching with a philosophic eye the move- 

 ments of the other game, uttering a loud snorting noise, and also a short sharp cry 

 which is peculiar to them. When the hunter approaches these old bulls, they com- 

 mence whisking their long white tails in a most eccentric manner; then, springing 

 into the air, begin prancing and capering, and pursue each other in circles at then 



WHITE-TAILED WILDEBEESTS CURVETING ROUND A WAGON. 



utmost speed. Suddenly they all pull up together to overhaul the intruder, when 

 the bulls will often commence fighting in the most violent manner, dropping on their 

 knees at every shock; then, quickly wheeling about, they kick up their heels, whirl 

 their tails with a fantastic flourish, and scour across the plain enveloped in a cloud 

 of dust." In addition to their speed, wildebeests are remarkable for their extreme 

 tenacity of life, and, owing to the vigorous use they make of their horns, are awk- 

 ward creatures to hunt with dogs. Mr. Drummond states wildebeests are ' ' so ex- 

 tremely wary that fewer are killed by native hunters than of any other species. 

 Europeans, however, find them good practice in rifle shooting, as they will stand in 

 herds at a distance which they think secure, say three hundred or four hundred 



