340 HOOFED ANIMALS 



The hair of the Giraffe is short and close, the ground 

 colour in the South African species being a creamy fawn, 

 marked freely with irregular patches varying from lemon- 

 fawn to brownish black. The Nubian Giraffe is chiefly a 

 light reddish chestnut, covered with a ,fine network of 

 tawny lines almost geometrical in design. From the nape 

 of the neck to the withers is a short and erect mane ; the 

 tail is furnished with a long black tuft at its tip. 



' The Giraffe during flight,' says Andersonn, ' does not 

 move the limbs of either side alternately, but swings for- 

 ward the two legs of the same side at the same instant, so 

 that it is one of the most curious sights imaginable to see 

 a troop of these animals at full speed, balancing themselves 

 to and fro, while their long and tapering necks, swaying 

 backwards and forwards, follow the motion of their 

 bodies.' 



The sweeping, rocking stride of the Giraffe seems to take 

 it over the ground with very little exertion ; it appears to 

 sail or glide along almost without any movement of the 

 legs at all. For the first two miles horses are quite unable 

 to cope with it, and if the Giraffe can reach mountainous or 

 rocky country they are still further out of the question. 

 Though the hoofs are like those of gigantic cattle, they are 

 quite goat-like in the ease and certainty with which ravines 

 are cleared. Like the horse, the Giraffe can use its hind- 

 feet very effectively, and it is said can kill a lion with a 

 single kick. Hunters give a dying animal a wide berth, for 

 there is ' little to choose between a kick from it and a blow 

 from the arm of a windmill.' 



Like many other animals that minister to man's neces- 

 sities, and his still more numerous desires, the Giraffe is 

 often stated to be within sight of extermination. The 

 increasing settlement of South Africa has driven the last 

 remnants of the once numerous herds into the more remote 

 regions of the Kalahari desert. It is doubtful if in any part 

 of the continent will ever again be seen a herd of a hundred 

 and fifty Giraffes, such as Sir Samuel Baker reports that he 

 encountered ; but nevertheless the animal is yet more than 

 fairly common in the remote wilds to which it has 

 retreated. 



