LECHW1 



221 



a large scale in order to compass their destruction. They are hunted 

 in canoes, driven into deep water and speared, for although lechwi can 

 swim well and strongly, they cannot swim so fast as a canoe can be 

 paddled. Where they have been much persecuted by the natives they 

 are very wild and difficult to approach in the open ground, but where 

 they have not been much interfered with are very tame, and will allow 



FIG. 44. Head and fore-quarters of Lechwi, from a photograph by 

 Mr. Poulett-Weatherly. 



one to walk up in full view to within i 50 yards. When they decide 

 to run, they invariably stretch out their noses and trot leisurely away, 

 the males laying their horns back on each side of their necks ; but 

 they soon break into a springing gallop, every now and then bounding 

 high into the air. As they are nearly always in shallow water, the 

 flight of a herd of lechwi is usually accompanied by a great deal of 

 splashing, for even when the water nearly covers their bodies they do 



