250 THROUGH ANGOLA 



I saw but few on my trip, though in some of the 

 rivers, especially in the east of Angola, they are 

 still fairly numerous. 



The hippo is fond of using certain paths which, 

 on soft ground, acquire a characteristic shape, 

 two deep furrows stamped down by the feet, being 

 separated by a ridge often worn smooth by the 

 friction of the hippo's deep body. These paths 

 lead to tunnels in the undergrowth bordering the 

 river. The hippo feeds at night, and sleeps by 

 day either in the shallows or on grass-covered 

 islands in the stream. When much disturbed, 

 he floats in deep water with just eyes and nose 

 showing above it. Shooting a hippo in the water 

 from a river bank is unsportsmanlike, and should 

 only be attempted if this quaint beast is needed 

 for food. The only sporting w T ay to tackle one, 

 when he has some chance of defending himself, 

 is to stalk him when feeding ashore on a moon- 

 light night, or shoot him in the water from a canoe. 

 A brain shot, to be effective, must be placed low 

 down between the eyes if the animal's head is 

 facing the hunter, and behind the ear if broadside 

 on. A fatal shot causes the animal to sink at 

 once, but the body floats again within a few hours. 

 Normal tusks measure up to 30 inches. When not 

 feeding, the hippo will live on the best of terms 

 with the crocodile, and I have often found them 

 sleeping on the same rock ; but when the females 

 have young, they drive away crocodiles, and if 

 they must pass near them, carry the young on 

 their backs. 



The WART Hoc (PJiacochwrux ctfricanus) (Ongu- 



