l8 CENTRAL AFRICAN GAME AND ITS SPOOR. 



ears, the bellowing of buffalo, the tapping of roan, sable, and kudu's horns against 

 trees, the blowing of hippo. The latter is heard upwards of a mile, and from that 

 distance sounds like a deep-drawn sigh close at hand. 



Just as a woman's voice differs from that of a man, so does that of a female 

 animal from a male's. 



The bark of the male baboon is gruffer, the roar of the lion is more powerful, 

 and, when roaring at night, it can be distinguished if there are a couple, or only a lion 

 by himself. 



Many animals emit a strong smell, which can be recognised after a little 

 practice. 



When following up an elephant through thick grass, his smell is noticed at places 

 where he has stood, but is especially useful when following a wounded animal. 



In the winding grass runs he walks so noiselessly that he might only be a few yards 

 ahead of you round a corner without your being aware of it if it were not for the smell. 



Rhino also have a strong smell, differing a little from elephant. 



Waterbuck have a musky smell quite peculiar to themselves. Of other animals, 

 buffalo and warthog have distinctive smells. 



We have touched on spooring by tracks, browsing, sound, and smell, and also on 

 •the most likely places in which to find different game, and will now endeavour to 

 show the best ways of spotting them. 



Needless to say, the most important thing is to prevent them getting your wind, 

 so in arranging the day's shoot, work out your direction so that in traversing the 

 places in which you most expect to see game you will have the wind right. 



Naturally, you will not adhere rigidly to this direction in places where the spoor is 

 difficult to see, but, while keeping your general bearing, will zig-zag so as to pass over 

 likely ground, and parts where spoor is easy to be seen. 



Any changes of wind should be noticed and conformed to. 



On a cloudy day in thick country it is difficult to keep one's bearings. 



For this reason the direction of prevailing winds should always be noticed, as the 

 grass bent down by them is a sure index. 



Also the ways streams flow should be noted from maps, as a guide to where you 

 are. 



It should always be known when the last rain fell, as a guide to the age of spoor. 



It will well repay trouble to climb every anthill on your way, in order to have a 

 look round for game. 



In very thick country, especially when after elephant, it will often be necessary to 

 climb trees for this purpose. 



