306 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



kudu had entered the bush. The note of alarm of this beast 

 is a distinct and loud bark, much resembling that of an ' old 

 man ' baboon. Lesser kudu appear to bark only when they 

 scent danger but are unable to see it. As I have said before, 

 many natives will not touch the flesh of this beast, as it causes 

 them great pain in the mouth and gums. 



BUSH-BUCK 



The Bush-buck (Swahili, 'Mbawara') is common everywhere 

 on the coast, and I have seen it as far west as the edge of Mau 

 forest. In habits it much resembles the lesser kudu, but, as a 

 rule, is found in much thicker bush, and where all vegetation 

 is more luxuriant. Although I have seen great numbers of 

 bush-bucks, I have never noticed more than two together, except 

 on one occasion when I saw a male and two females ; but 

 animals of either sex are more usually found by themselves. 

 They are rarely seen out in the open or far from thick covert. 

 They are often found day after day in, or quite near to, the 

 same spot. 



IMPALA 



The Impala (Swahili name, 'Nswala') is not, I believe, known 

 on the coast, though some sixty miles inland it is met with in 

 small herds. At Adda and in the Teita country it is plentiful, 

 and is found as far north as Turkwel, in suitable localities. It 

 is never seen very far from water, and is partial to park-like, 

 open bush and thinly-wooded country. The best heads I have 

 ever seen have been obtained between Lakes Naivasha and 

 Baringo, particularly in the vicinity of the small salt lake Elma- 

 teita, where these beautiful beasts inhabit the open woods of 

 juniper-trees. 



Impalas congregate in herds varying from eight or ten up 

 to 150 in number. In the small herds there is usually only 

 one adult buck, but in the larger herds there are several. 

 I have seen herds composed entirely of bucks. On account of 

 the nature of the ground which they usually frequent they are 



