RHINOCEROS 

 Rhinoceros bicornis, Gmelin. 



Somali name, Wiyil 



DESCRIPTION. This animal requires no description. It has 

 been said that it is smaller than the East African variety, but this 

 is possibly due to the poorness of its food supply during certain 

 seasons of the year in Somaliland. The horns certainly seldom 

 grow to any great length 20 in. for a front horn being well above 

 the average. 



MEASUREMENTS. The following are the measurements of a 

 male rhinoceros shot in the Ogaden country : 



Length (straight) . \ ( . ,;, . . 10 ft. 8 in. 

 Height at shoulder . . . " -* . 4 6 



Horns : 



Front horn (length) . . . . .19^ in. 



(circumference) . .. . . 2i| 



Second horn (length) . . . . .-. 9 



(circumference) * . . / 21 



DISTRIBUTION. The rhinoceros is never seen north of Burao, 

 owing to its extermination. Towards the Abyssinian border, in 

 the Haud and Nogal Valley, they are still to be found, and are said 

 to be plentiful in Ogadayn. 



HABITS. He inhabits broken country, whether stony or other- 

 wise, and lives on the small stunted acacias, creepers, and small 

 plants which abound in his natural habitat. Very short-sighted 

 but endowed with a remarkable sense of smell, he can easily be 

 approached with due precaution. After defecating, they generally 

 scatter their excrement in all directions, probably with a view of 

 obliterating their spoor. Unfortunately this strange beast is being 

 driven before civilisation, and a few more years will see its dis- 

 appearance from all save the most remote regions. The Somalis 

 value the hide for their shields, and whip-handles are made of it. 



106 



