xxvi ANIMALS WHICH PROVIDE SPORT 255 



no means too unsporting or too drastic. There are, 

 however, large tracts of country far from the haunt 

 of man where the lion does no harm and effects no 

 worse purpose than to keep the balance of nature 

 exact. Is there any reason why in such districts he 

 should still be the victim of ruthless slaughter, and to 

 no other end than that another American should hold 

 yet another record ? I submit that it could do no harm 

 if in such out-districts the lion were put on the same 

 footing as other, and in some cases less desirable, 

 game animals, and that the number obtainable on each 

 sportsman's licence be limited. The advantage to the 

 Protectorate would not be merely sentimental, but 

 also pecuniary. With this short notice we must leave 

 a fascinating subject, expressing the hope that it may 

 be many a long year before the grunt of the lion may 

 be heard no longer over the barren tracts of the 

 Protectorate. 



The Buffalo. — Next to the lion, the buffalo provides 

 the most general sport to settlers, and a trophy even 

 grander than the former. Buffalo haunt the verge of 

 a considerable number of farms and are within a 

 week-end journey of the majority. They were 

 formerly to a great extent plain dwellers, and quite 

 one of the most common species in the country. 

 The rinderpest at the end of the last century played 

 havoc with them ; so much so, indeed, that it was 

 feared that they were absolutely exterminated. Three 

 or four small herds did actually survive, and these 

 have multiplied so wonderfully that buffalo now exist 

 in thousands. In 19 10 and 191 1 more than 700 were 

 killed. Very wisely, however, they have never re- 

 sumed their plain-loving habits, but are mainly to be 

 found in thick bush or forest. The only places where 



