With Flashlight and Rifle -* 



In those parts of Africa in which I have travelled 

 the lion's favourite prey is the zebra, and in this liking for 

 zebra- flesh he is of one mind with the caravan-carriers, who- 

 also prefer it to any other. Full-grown rhinoceroses and 

 hippopotamuses, and of course elephants, are not molested 

 by him ; but their young ones are preyed upon, as well 

 as all other animals down to the small antelopes. Trust- 

 worthy observers tell also of his encounters with porcu- 

 pines, in which he often sustains damage. 



Lions often hunt in combination, driving their prey 

 towards each other. This I have ascertained beyond dispute 

 by studying their tracks and by watching them at night. 

 They seem to communicate with each other by their roars. 

 In pouncing upon their prey, especially when drinking, 

 they make astounding springs ; I have measured some 

 which covered twenty-four feet. Their favourite plan 

 is to take up their position on some high spot, on the 

 steep bank of a river, say, and spring down sideways 

 from this spot upon their quarry. Unlike leopards, they 

 are unable to climb trees. 



In the dry season great numbers of lions are to be 

 seen together at the clrinking-places. By the stream 

 alongside which I took my best lion-photos I have seen 

 a group of over thirty lions of all sizes and ages. In 

 the early morning I could ascertain by studying their 

 tracks that they were moving about in herds. When the 

 rainy season came along these herds broke up, and the 

 lions spread about over a wide area in pursuit of prey,, 

 each on his own account. 



I cannot test the accuracy of the well-known narratives 



348 



