<+ Ilva-nas and Jackals 



influence of the tropical sun soften the bones, and they 

 fall to bits ; the tusks alone, withstand the influence of 

 the weather for a number of years. Then new lite always 

 springs from the ruins. I have discovered birds' nests 

 in the huge bleached skulls, or perhaps carefully built 

 nests of mice that had found a refuge from their enemies 

 in the tusk-sockets. Then, in the course of a tew years, 

 the skull also tails to pieces ; and thus ends the drama 

 which has been played. . . . 



One otten encounters jackals by daylight. Their 

 ubiquity makes them play a great role in the legends and 

 tales ot the velt-population. In Germany the tox is the 

 poetical personification of cunning and practical acute- 

 ness in the fight tor lite. In Kast Africa this role is 

 played by the " umbua witu " of the \Yaswahili. the 

 " endere " of the Masai, or " eeloande " of the \Yandorobo. 



I he opportunities I had ot watching a large carcase 

 beset by hundreds of vultures, innumerable marabous, 

 some spotted hya-nas. and a number ot jackals, all 

 clamouring tor the booty, were among the most interest- 

 ing ot my African experiences. Unfortunately, bad light 

 generally stood in the way ot successful photographs at 

 these times. I>\ some sort of fatality the light was 

 generally bad when I wanted it most. I trust that others 

 may be more lucky in this respect. I hope th.it the 

 man \\ho follows in my footsteps \\ill succeed fir better 

 than I have done. It is no! enough to IK- keen and 

 expert and well-equipped ; one mus: have ^ood luck 

 as well. 



