XV 



AN UNCAGED ZOO 



IN London indeed, in all large towns possessing 

 a well-stocked menagerie it is a favourite form of 

 enjoyment, and certainly one full of instruction, to 

 pass a few hours on a fine Sunday watching the birds, 

 beasts, and reptiles in their cages. The majority of 

 civilised human beings are fond of animals, and it may 

 be truly written that those who are fond of animals 

 rarely lack friends. In many parts of Eastern Ethiopia, 

 beasts, birds, reptiles, and insects are so abundant that 

 the country has been described, and not undeservedly, 

 as an uncaged Zoo, and I will describe in this chapter 

 how we spent a Sunday in it. 



There are certain inconveniences attendant on 

 walking among uncaged animals. Some mammals 

 prefer certain localities : this is especially the case 

 with antelopes. The kudu and the oryx are found 

 around Lake Baringo. but are rarely seen in the 

 neighbourhood of Lake Nakuru. Even Grant's gazelles 

 vary in small particulars in different parts of the 

 country. Moreover, the herds of game are always on 

 the move ; they may abound in one district for a few 

 weeks or months, and then, for reasons which to us are 

 obscure, move away to some distant place. 



In order to see all the animals in this uncaged Zoo, 

 the visitor must travel sometimes great distances, 

 endure much fatigue, often hardship, and exhibit 

 patience in its best form. In wandering about he must 

 also use eyes and ears to find the animals, and when 



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