VITAL SHOTS. 29 



HIPPO. 



As this animal is generally found in water, shots at the head are almost the 

 invariable rule. A hippo's brain is very small, and we have endeavoured to show 

 a plain sketch of the skull showing its formation. 



We think the most certain shot can be obtained when the animal is looking 

 away, exposing the back of its head. The bullet should then be placed below an 

 imaginary line drawn across the bases of the ears, low if anything, unless one is 

 on a high bank and well above the animal. 



If the bullet strikes the centre the spine will also probably be cut as well and 

 splinters of bone driven into the brain cavity. 



The next best shot when the animal is quarter facing would be the orifice of the 

 eye, the bullet raking backwards. Brain shots all depend on the angle, and one must 

 always have the position of the brain in mind, and endeavour to aim at an imaginary 

 line which will pass through the middle of it. 



Hippo are sometimes found standing on sandbanks, with part or all of their 

 bodies visible, but this will seldom be noticed in the daytime, unless they are in a very 

 secluded part ; then it would be possible to take the body or neck shot, but none 

 of these would be as satisfactory as the head one. 



The direct facing shot is very difficult, for it would be no easy matter placing 

 the bullet right in the nasal orifice so as to travel up it without touching the mass of 

 bone surrounding it ; but in the shots we have described the wall of the brain is the 

 first bone encountered by the bullet. Of course, with modern rifles the penetration is 

 so great that if one gets the true direction it matters less where one strikes ; but, even 

 with a '303 rifle, the bullet might possibly glance off the skull, though it is not 

 so likely to do so as a lead bullet fired from a black powder rifle. 



If a hippo sinks quietly after receiving the shot, he is almost always dead ; 

 whereas, if he splashes, he is only wounded, and will in all probability not be brought 

 to bag unless by a subsequent shot. 



It is sometimes very difficult picking out the best male, but it will be noticed that 

 they are broader about the head and darker than the cows and young. The shape of 

 the head differs much as does a boar from a sow, the latter being narrower and not 

 so broad across the forehead. 



Once a herd has been located, never be in a hurry to fire, for there is plenty of 

 time to decide which is the bull ; but it is certainly sometimes difficult to see the 

 teeth, for they are not still for long, and don't always expose enough of their heads to 

 make one sure. 



