HIPPO (hippopotamus amphibius). 79 



When unmolested they raise the whole head out of water and, where they 

 have not been shot at, will often come and look at one quite close. The mother 

 may also be seen coming up to the surface with the young one on her back. 



After being shot at they come up to breathe less often and show less of 

 the head. 



As regards the occasional upsetting of a canoe by these animals, we fully agree 

 with what Mr. Vaughan Kirby says about the irritation caused to these otherwise 

 good-natured animals by the continued sniping at long ranges of male, female, and 

 young alike by the so-called sportsman, who has not the least intention of trying to 

 bring the animal to bag, and only seems actuated by a desire to cause needless pain 

 and suffering. 



As regards shooting them, there is always plenty of time, and it never pays to 

 hurry one's shot, as a really good chance is required to make anything like certain of 

 a vital shot, and also it requires a good deal of discernment to distinguish male 

 from female and to pick out an old bull. 



The brain cell is very small, and to make certain it is necessary that the wall of 

 the brain should be the first bone encountered by the bullet, as otherwise it may 

 be deflected. 



To do this, a shot through the eye when the animal is turned half towards you, an 

 exact broadside shot, or one at the back of the head is required. 



We would not recommend the frontal shot. 



If shot dead, the animal sinks without splashing, whereas if it splashes it is 

 hardly ever brought to bag unless by a subsequent shot. 



If a cow waits long near the place at which the male sank it is an indication that 

 he is dead, and a cow will often wait in this way long after the hunter and his 

 followers have discovered themselves. The body rises to the surface in from two to 

 six hours, according to the temperature of the water. 



A wounded hippo will almost always go to land, perhaps to rub the wounds with 

 earth, but may return to the water to die. 



In distinguishing male from female, the male will be found to be very much 

 darker in colour, and an old bull approaching black. 



The male is also broader across the forehead. If watched for a short time it 

 will be noticed that the females and young are together, and the male generally a 

 little apart. 



The blowing of a hippo can be heard upwards of a mile, especially at night, and 

 at this distance sounds like a long-drawn sigh. After sunset they begin grunting, 

 and if disturbed at night will grunt in chorus, a number together. 



