II. THE GAME — CARNIVORA, PACHYDERMATA, ETC. 1 7 



While camped in the bush or living in some lonely house, the cry of the spotted 

 hyaena will often be heard at night. They feed on offal, particularly bones, and 

 follow the lion and leopard for the leavings of their kills. Their jaws are exceedingly 

 powerful, and I have seen the thigh bone of an elephant broken by these animals. 

 Of course this was not done by a single bite, but by constant gnawing. 



A spotted hyaena I carefully weighed was 1251b., and I do not think they grow 

 much larger in this country. 



Leopard {Felis pardus). — These animals are very plentiful, but seldom seen 

 owing to their retiring and nocturnal habits. 



There seem to be two varieties, the hill leopard being smaller than the plains 

 leopard, and more profusely spotted. However, this is probably only due to their 

 habitat or environment, for the effect of different climates often causes slight 

 variation in members of the same species. 



Leopards kill large numbers of small antelopes, such as klipspringers, duikers, 

 and oribis ; and I have often come across the remains of a kill in the bush. When 

 hungry they will eat anything, such as locusts and field mice. They are very fond of 

 dogs, and I know of a number of cases where they have taken these animals from 

 a house or verandah. 



Their saw-like grunts are often heard at night as they prowl about for food, but 

 it is a very difficult matter to get a good chance at one. 



Many men have lived years in the wilds without having shot one. If disturbed 

 they go off fast, and always make for the thickest cover near. 



The weight of a big leopard may be about 1401b., and a good unstretched skin 

 about 6ft. 3in. The skins of all the felines can be stretched considerably in pegging 

 out, and a 6ft. leopard can he converted into a 7ft. skin in this manner. The only 

 true measurement is to take a straight line from point of nose to tip of tail, as the 

 animal lies dead. 



Cheetah. — Very scarce indeed, and I have only seen one skin, which was 

 obtained in Nyasaland. 



The animal stands higher on his legs than a leopard, and the hair is longer and 

 coarser, and I think the animal would measure more. 



Lion {Felis leo). — Africa would hardly be Africa without this animal, and he 

 figures prominently in most books of sport and travel, as well as in children's nursery 

 books. He has been styled " King of Beasts," but I think this title belongs to 

 the elephant, for a lion is not majestic in appearance when seen in his native 

 wilds. In walking he generally carries his head low, and he is seldom seen, as 

 he is depicted, with his head high, and with a great flowing mane. Few wild lions 



D 



