A HALT ON THE WATERLESS VELT 



XVI 



Zebras 



AMONG the most familiar of African animals is the 

 zebra, which is found in two such absolutely different 

 types in the north of German East Africa as Equus boehmi 

 and Equus granti. Although of late years the numbers 

 of these animals have been much thinned by breech- 

 loading rifles, especially in the hands of the Askari, 

 there are still large herds of them to be met with on the 

 open plains. 



The zebra is an animal of the plains and scrub ; it 

 is not to be found in the primeval forests and jungles, 

 but it scampers up mountains of some height with 

 wonderful agility. Zebras are often found in the company 

 of ostriches, hartebeests, and gazelles ; they show a 

 special fondness for the society of gnus. I often found 

 great herds of zebras and white-bearded gnus living 

 together amicably and frequenting the same drinking- 

 place. 



326 



