BUFFALO AND BUSH COW '253 



are present between the left bank of the Coanza 

 and the Congo and Cunhinga tributaries of this 

 stream. 



These black and almost hairless, powerful 

 animals may weigh 1200 Ib. without measuring 

 more than 5 feet at the shoulder. The massive 

 spreading horns which meet over the forehead 

 in old bulls rarely measure 40 inches across 

 in Angola, though the East African record is 

 53 inches. Buffaloes like a close, well-watered 

 country, as they drink often, graze at night, and 

 lie up in neighbouring thick covering during the 

 day. Their spoor resembles that of cattle, both 

 track and dung, and the freshness of the latter 

 may be told from the absence of maggots, which 

 can develop in it within twenty-four hours. In 

 disturbed country buffaloes circle on their tracks 

 before lying down for the day ; by this manoeuvre 

 they ensure scenting their pursuer, and when 

 alarmed will run down wind till they lose his 

 scent. These tactics can only be defeated by 

 studying the country, guessing the next water 

 the buffaloes will make for, and circling oneself. 

 Stupid and slow normally, they are obstinate 

 when wounded, and their charge is only stopped 

 by death. It is difficult to kill a charging buffalo, 

 as it keeps its nose up and horns flat, thus covering 

 the brain, while the stumpiness of the animal 

 makes it difficult to place a shot below the head 

 and on to the chest. It is only when he is within 

 a few feet that the buffalo, in lowering his head 

 to toss the hunter, momentarily exposes skull 

 and spine to a fatal shot ; and on his action at 



