1070 



which are preserved in the British Museum and the Rothschild Museum at Trmg; 

 while there is also a stuffed specimen in the Museum at Leyden. In addition to a 

 magnificent skull, with horns, the British Museum likewise possesses a fine series of 



detached horns. 



In treating of the common African rhinoceros, we have already had 

 Habits occasion to refer to the exclusively grass-eating habits of this species, 



and the consequent restriction of its habitat to open grassy plains. We have also 

 alluded to its habit of walking with its head carried close to the ground, and like- 

 wise to the circumstance that the calf always precedes its mother when walking. It 

 may be added that the mother appears to direct the course of her offspring with her 

 long front horn. As regards its time of feeding and taking repose, the animals of 

 this species closely resemble those of the ordinary kind. Mr. Selous states that 

 " their sight is very bad, but they are quick of hearing and their scent is very keen; 

 they are, too, often accompanied by rhinoceros birds, which, by flying about their 

 heads, napping their wings, and screeching at the same time, frequently give them 

 notice of the approach of danger. When disturbed, they go off at a swift trot, 

 which soon leaves all pursuit from a man on foot far behind; but if chased by a 

 horseman they break into a gallop, which they can keep up for some distance. 

 However, although they run very swiftly, when their size and heavy build are con- 

 sidered, they are no match for an average good horse. They are, as a rule, very 

 easy to shoot on horseback, as, if one gallops a little in front of and on one side of 

 them, they will hold their course, and come sailing past, offering a magnificent 

 broadside shot, while under similar circumstances a prehensile-lipped rhinoceros 

 will usually swerve away in such a manner as only to present his hind-quarters for 

 a shot." 



These animals were generally found in pairs or in parties of three, although 

 as already mentioned, sometimes considerably more were seen together. Although, 

 as we have seen, there is some difference of opinion as to the temper and disposition 

 of the other species, all sportsmen agree that Burchell's rhinoceros was generally a 

 harmless and inoffensive creature. Still, sometimes it would when wounded make 

 a charge; and from the enormous size of the animal such a charge was a serious 

 matter for those against whom it was directed. On one occasion Mr. Oswell caught 

 sight of one of these rhinoceroses, and, putting spurs to his horse, soon came up 

 alongside. He fired with good effect, but the animal, instead of attempting to es- 

 cape, eyed its adversary for a moment, and then deliberately advancing, made r\ 

 sudden rush at his horse, thrusting the long front horn completely through the ani- 

 mal's body, so that the point of the weapon struck the rider's leg through the flap 

 of the saddle on the other side. Fortunately, Mr. Oswell was so little injured, that 

 he was enabled to disengage himself from the body of his dead horse, and kill his 

 formidable opponent. 



When shot through the heart or both lungs, this rhinoceros, like the other 

 species, Mr. Selous tells us, is quickly killed. If, however, the bullet penetrates but 

 one lung, they will go on for miles, although blood may be streaming from their 

 mouth and nose. Similarly, they will hold on their course, at first at a gallop and 

 then at a trot, with a broken shoulder, for more than a mile; but a broken hind-leg 



