CROCODILES 127 



On a high bank of the Nile, about fifteen feet 

 from the papyrus, I discovered a crocodile's 

 nest with thirty-eight eggs and in the bushes 

 near by were the shells of several more eggs that 

 had been stolen and eaten by monitor lizards. 



These nests were depressions in the ground. 

 The eggs, placed in layers, were so arranged as 

 to leave no doubt that the crocodile used her 

 forefeet in placing and covering them with the 

 earth and rubbish in which they were always 

 buried. 



Several times I surprised a "croc" lying out 

 on the bank about a mile from one of our camps, 

 but it was so watchful that it managed to elude 

 me. One afternoon I crept stealthily to the 

 edge of the bank and, looking over, saw it bask- 

 ing in the sun with its jaws wide open a 

 favourite attitude. As usual, it slid into the 

 water before I could aim and fire. I knew that 

 it would return soon, so I took a short hunt 

 and then came back. There it was again, 

 hauled out on the bank much farther than 

 usual, the tall grass concealing quite half of 

 its body. A brain shot, or one through the 

 spine, is the only sure medicine for a crocodile, 

 so, as its head was hidden, I was compelled to 



