ir BUSHMEN AND GIRAFFES 27 



In certain parts of the country frequented by giraffes 

 in Southern Africa, large camel-thorn trees (Acacia 

 giraffae) grow either singly or a few together 

 amongst a wide expanse of wait-a-bit-thorn scrub, 

 which is from 6 to 12 feet high. From time to 

 time these large trees die and decay, until nothing 

 is left but a tall straight stem, standing up like a tele- 

 graph pole (only a good deal thicker) amongst the 

 surrounding scrub. When, whilst following on giraffe 

 spoor through such country, something suddenly 

 comes in view protruding from the bush, perhaps a 

 mile ahead, the Bushmen will stop and take a good 

 look at it. Of course at a very great distance it 

 is impossible for even a Bushman to distinguish 

 between the tall straight stem of a dead tree stand- 

 ing up out of low bush and the neck of a solitary old 

 bull giraffe. But if the latter, it is sure soon to 

 move, unless it is standing- watching its human 

 enemies approaching, in which case it will not be 

 very far away, and I have never known a Bushman 

 to mistake a giraffe for a tree at any reasonable 

 distance. 



As regards the coloration of the species of giraffe 

 inhabiting South and South-Western Africa, it assimi- 

 lates very well with its surroundings, when amongst 

 trees and bush ; but as giraffes spend a great deal 

 of their time passing through open stretches of 

 country on their way from one feeding-ground to 

 another, they are often very conspicuous animals. 



With respect to the Somali giraffe (Giraffa rcticu- 

 latd], a photograph taken by the photographer who 

 accompanied one of Lord Delamere's expeditions, 

 showing some of these animals feeding amongst 

 mimosa trees, gives the impression of a most 

 marvellous harmonisation of colour and arrange- 

 ment of marking with their surroundings. But I 

 cannot help thinking that the facts of the case have 

 been very much exaggerated in this photograph, 



