CHAP. i. BUFFALO. 07 



other large game. They graze, lie down, and go to water 

 at regular intervals during the twenty-four hours. About 

 sunrise they drink a sufficient quantity to last during the 

 long hot day, and then make their way to wherever 

 they may have determined to sleep. This in summer is 

 generally on the highest and most breezy spot to be found, 

 under the shelter of two or three trees ; in winter, in the 

 thick jungle. They do not lie further from water than 

 possible, as the moment the sun goes down, often before, 

 they go straight to refresh themselves with a bath and 

 drink before feeding, which they continue to do till soon 

 after midnight, making the most horrible maze of track 

 imaginable. They then rest and chew the cud for some 

 time, getting up and continuing grazing until it is time 

 to revisit the river or hole, and so onward to their lair. 

 It is a common practice among hunters when in the neigh- 

 bourhood of any rising ground, to ascend it at early dawn, 

 and if there are buffalo about they have a good chance of 

 seeing them making for the spot they will lie in during 

 the day. 



It is of the greatest importance to the hunter to know 

 such of their habits as will aid him in finding them. By 

 practice it becomes easy to decide whether the spoor in 

 question be that of the morning or evening march to 

 water, or whether where they have been feeding was 

 before they lay down or not ; and on this being correctly 

 done depends whether you have to follow the track for 

 five or six hours, or find them in one ; and ultimately, 

 whether you have a good day and several shots, or no tune 

 to follow them after they have been once disturbed. In 

 the hot weather their morning journey is usually a long one. 



