52 



HUNTING TRIPS IN NORTHERN RHODESIA. 



think it cannot be common. If it were common such a keen observer would have 

 noticed it.* 



I have kept the horns and part of the head-skin showing the two horns and knob, 

 as I think it is interesting. 



Rhinos are easier beasts to get up to than elephants or buffalo, and although 

 their sight is poor, their senses of hearing and smell are acute. There is not much 

 fear of their becoming extinct for many years, for, being very well distributed in this 

 country and inhabitating very out-of-the-way places, they are not molested. 



The flesh of the rhino is pretty tough eating, and it is often found to be full of 

 maggots, which do not tend to make it appetising. Their skin is very thick, but not so 

 thick as a hippo's, but is closer in the grain and makes better whips. Their horns vary 

 considerably, and sometimes the posterior horn will be found longer than the anterior. 



This variation made old hunters give the beasts different names, but it has almost 

 been conclusively proved that there are only two species of rhino in the whole of Africa. 



The horns of rhinos do not seem to attain a large size in this country, and I 

 never heard of one being shot that measured over 25in., whereas in East Africa and 

 Uganda they grow much larger. An old beast soon wears its horns down, but they 

 generally keep them fairly sharp. Rhino spoor is very easy to follow, for their hoofs 

 are not very large considering the size of their bodies, and as long as they keep to 

 soft ground they can be easily spoored ; but, of course, on rocky ground tracking 

 them is more difficult. They always lie down to sleep, and if one is found in this position 

 it is a simple matter to go close up to him; but it pays to put him up, as a 



shot at an animal lying is not ^y satisfactory as a rule, for one cannot locate the 



vital organs properly if there ^m is long grass or other vegetation round him. 



,^^. 



RHINO HORNS 



(Showing growth behind posterior horn). 



* Mr. Rowland Ward, in " Records of Big Game," mentions one that was killed having five distinct 

 norns. This, of course, is quite exceptional. 



