96 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



The voice of the Spotted Hyaena is one of its most 

 remarkable qualities, and there are few wild animals 

 capable of uttering such a variety of sounds or of im- 

 parting so many inflexions of tone to each. The usual 

 note is the well-known and long-drawn "whoo-oo," the 

 first syllable pitched in a deep bass key, while the second 

 rises to a shrill falsetto scream. It is round a carcass that 

 the hideous maniacal laugh, whence the animal derives 

 one of its titles, is usually uttered ; but I have also heard 

 it when hyaenas are prowling round a camp and have 

 smelt meat. Occasionally a deep " wuff " is given vent 

 to, and when tackled by dogs or wounded they sometimes 

 growl. 



The above, however, by no means complete the catalogue 

 of sounds of which this creature is capable. I was fishing 

 in the Sabi one evening, a few hundred yards outside the 

 compound fence, and the shadows had already gathered, 

 before, having taken my rod to pieces, I began to retrace 

 my steps. Just as I was leaving the bank, a most extra- 

 ordinary series of sounds came from the recesses of the 

 bush fifty yards away. There was a shriek as of some 

 human being in distress, followed by a number of low 

 gurglings and chucklings, and then by another shriek. 

 Knowing that no natives were in the bush, I stood 

 wondering what it could be, and as I listened to the 

 noise several of my native servants, with assagais and 

 lights, came running at top speed through the compound 

 gate. They at once said, in tones of relief, " We thought 

 some one had been taken by a lion." The sounds still 

 went on, now recalling the wails of an infant, when 

 suddenly the familiar " whoo-oo " set all doubts at rest 

 as to the nature of the animal.^ 



Hyaenas come freely to baits, and are constantly 

 caught in traps and shot by spring-guns. They show 



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